The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-28 00:00:00

INDIAN DISPATCHES.

PAPERS RESPECTING THE LATE HOSTILITIES ON THE
NORTH-WESTERN FRONTIER OF INDIA.
No. 1.
The Governor-General of India in Council to the Secret Committee
of the East India Company.--. Fort William, July 2,1845.—( No. 54.)
_

of preventing much mischief; if in the state of the Piinjaub the re-
sponsible authority of the Government remains more than 1,000
miles off, at the other extremity of Bengal ; it appears to me, there-
fore, to be expedient, as a means of averting risk, and of carrying
our policy more securely into effect, that the Governor-General
should, in the month of October next, proceed to the Upper Pro-
vinces, and that the authority should be entrusted to him with which
the law enables the Council to invest him, when separA d from his
colleagues.
Havingigiven my decided opinion that, under existing circumstances,
it will be the duty of the Governer-General to proceed to the Upper
Provinces in the autumn, I have to request the attention of my
colleagues to this subject. H. HARDLNGE.
I concur, T. H. MADDOCK.
I concur, F. MILLETT.
I concur, GEO. POLLOCK.
As the separation of the ;Governor-General from the Council re-
quires the sanction of a law, I presume it is proper that I should re-
cord my opinion upon the proposition.
I concur, C. H. CAMERON.
No. 2. . .

The Governor-General in Council to the Secret Committee.—Fort
William, August 7, 1845.—(N0. 63.)
(Extract.)
In the midst of anarchy, conspiracies for the destruction of conflict-
ing parties, treachery, and debauchery, there is an attempt making
at improvement, in the suppression of open rebellion, and in main-
taining the peace of the capital, which has not been altogether with-
out success, and the collection of the revenue has been somewhat
improved, under the management, able, though corrupt, of Dewan
Deena Nath.
Military preparation is also being made with more than usual vi-
gour ; but, notwithstanding this, we can perceive nothing to lead to
the expectation of a permanent and strong Government being
formed.
No. 3.

The Governor-General in Council to the Secret Committee.—Fort
William, Sept. 6, 1545.—(N0. 70.)
(Extract.)
We would request attention to extracts from letters addressed on
different dates, during the last month, by Major Broadioot, to our
Secretary.

These extracts, illustrating the deplorably profligate condition of
the Lahore Durbar, cannot fall to impress upon you the almost
hopeless expectation of any immediate, or permanent, improvement
in the condition of a state, whose rulers abandon themselves to such
open and disgusting debauchery; unredeemed by any of those states-
manlike qualities which distinguished the Government of the Maha-
raja Runjeet Singh.
We deem it to be essential for a just understanding of the actual
condition of the Lahore Government tkat these details should be re-
ported ; they tend to show the unsatisfactory nature of that Govern-
ment, and that our relations with a Court thus constituted, and an
army solely governed by Punchayets, must be in a very precarious
state.

We are determined to maintain the pacific course of policy which
we have hitherto pursued to the utmost extent of conciliation and
forbearance.

Enclosure in No. 3.

Extracts from Letters from the Agent to the Governor-General on
the North-west Frontier to the Secretary to the Goverriment,
illustrative of the Riot and Debauchery now prevalent at the La-
hore Durbar.

cording to my *renal intention on leaving Calcutta, not deeming It
expedient or necessary to accelerate it, and you may be assured that
no efforts shall be wanting to repress all manifestations of hostility
against the Seikhs, shonld any such be displayed, by patiently and
firmly carrying out, to the utmost extent of forbearance, the pacific
policy of the Government.

(No. 6.)
The Governor-General to the Secret Committee.—Agra, 23d October

1845.—(N0. 5.) _
(Extract.)
The result anticipated by me iii my letter of the let instant has
taken place. The Seikh seldiery having formally celled the late Mi-
nister Jowahir Singh to account for the destruction of Koonwur Pe-
shora Singh, and for his other misdeeds, put him to death on the 21st
September.
The circumstances under which the destruction of Jowahif Sines
was accomplished, are related in Major Broadfoot's dispatch of the
26th ult., a paper which cannot be perused without much interest:

As I eipe-Cted, the violent removal of Jowahir Singh has not led to
any circumstances likely to bring about a collision with us, or to
compromise the nominal Government at Lahore in its relations with
the British power.

On the contrary, the disposition of the remaining chiefs appears
evidently to be to maintain, as far as possible, the former relations
with us, and to make atonement for the unfriendly acts of the late
Jewahir Singh ; while the soldiery, the openly-avowed administrators
of the Government, though they talk largely of their intentions
with regard to our army, show plainly, by their acts, they are fully
aware that any attempt to force hostile measures upon us must be an
act which would at once seal their own destruction.
The Dusserah festival has passed without carrying with it further
convulsions or bloodshed.

The state of affairs, however, cannot fail to exhibit the hopless-
ness of our seeing a permanent government established in the Pun-
jaub out of the elements that now exist there, capable of conducting
the administration of the country, and reducing the army to a state
of subordination and control.
The Ranee has been declared Regent, and at present carries on the
government, if such it can be called, at the dictation of the I'an-
chayets of the army.
No Minister has yet been nominated, and It seems doubtful whether
the Ranee's favourite, Raja Lel Sing, or Raja Ghoolab Singh, may be
the next person called to that ill-omened distinction; probably the
former will be the first nominated, as the very deeply-laid schemes of
Ghoolab Singh appear hardly yet ripe for his accession, though there
eanbe little doubt that eventually he looks to acquiring flat power in
the Punjaub, and entertains the hope, that he may be able, with better
success than his nephew, Hem Singh, to reduce the army within the
limits of its legitimate duties.

Enclosure in No. 6.

The Agent to the Governor-General on the North-West Frontier to
the Secretary to the Government of India.
(Extract.) Camp, Simla, 26th September, 1845.
_ _ _ _ _

The troops con-tinned on the 18th -and subsequent days to maintain
the same attitude as before, perfect order among themselves and
strict discipline towards the city and its neighbourhood. They
pitched their camp at the plain of Mujan Meer, on the Ferozepore
side of Lahore, where the Punchayets held their nightly meetings, and
in the morning issued the orders determined on, under the designa-
tion belonging to the Seikh sect, before Runjeet Singh became a
monarch, viz., the Khalsa Punth (Khalsajee da Punth). They for-
mally assumed the Government, and sent letters bearing their seal,
inscribed merely with the name of God, to all local officers, military
leaders, and members of the Durbar, requiring their presence and
obedience. They sent similar letters to the Ranee, requiring her to
o in their camp with her son, and to deliver up her brother and the
murderers of Peshora Singh, if he were really dead. The Ranee jus-
tified his death, which her brother had denied. The troops answered
that her admission proved it, and required her to choose between
j;iving up or sharing his fate with her sons.
In such negotiations were passed the intermediate days. Sirdar
Jowahir Si ngh trusted to holding the fort with his new levies an.' the
artillery, of which the superior officers were mach in his favour ; but
he found that, including the Englishman, or, as he himself says, the
American Colonel Gardener, the troops and their officers were ready
to obey the summons of the troops, and to join their camp ; lie
now began to think of escape, and laboured in every way to gain
time and conciliate the levies, that they might at least connive at his
flight.
On the 19th he and the Ranee sent Deewan Deena Nath, Fakeer
Noor-ood-deen, and Sirdar Ultar Singh Kaleewala, to urge the troops
to return to their obedience on account of the danger of English inva-
sion, &c. The troops immediately made them prisoners, releasing
Noor-ood-deen, whom they sent to warn the Ranee that the 20th
was the latest day to which the option of surrendering
her brother would be left to her ; that this delay was only given
to spare the city the miseries of a siege of the tbrt ; and that she
and her son would pay with their lives the penalty of such siege, if
their obstinacy made it necessary. At the same time, under the seal
of the Punth, they required the troops in the fort to take care that no
one escaped, and they posted guards at each gate of the city
for the like purpose. Fakeer Noor-ood-deen, having fulfilled his
mission, was honourably dismissed : the other prisoners were insulted,
threatened and derided by the soldiery.
On the night of the 20th, SirdarJowahir Singh made great presents
and greater promises to his troops, giving one general half a lack of
rupees to facilitate his escape. They allowed him to reach the gate
of the fort, where the guard peremptorily forbade him to go further,
saying, that such were the orders of the Khalsa Ptuith. The Sirdar
returned to his house in despair.
In the afternoon of the 21st, it was announced that four battalions
had left the camp to destroy all in the fort, of which the garrison,
with all the artillery and generals, had marched to the camp of 3lunjan
Meer. Immediate departure for the camp was announced to be the
only chance of safety. The Sirdar, his sister, and her son, with all the
members ofDurbar;Who bad not alreadygene to the camp, now mounted
on the state elephants, and proceeded to join the troops, their tents
having been already sent on. The four battalions which they met
turned back in silence and escorted them to the camp. When they
arrived there it had become dark. The Ranee, the Maharaja and
their immediate attendants, except the slave Mungla, were con-
ducted
to their tents by the troops, which ran tumultuously to them
from every part. Sirdar Jowahir Singh wasput to death in his how-
dah by innumerable wounds of swords and muskets, and his body
thrown out on the ground. Two of his leading associates, Bhyar
Chutter, a door-keeper, and Bawa Ruttun Singh Bedee, a chabrook
sower, a horse jockey, were also put to death, as well as some orderly
horsemen, much consulted on state affairs by the Sirdar. Of the
rest of his attendants, most escaped in the dark. Raja Lal Singh
was made a prisoner, as also Sirdar Jew= Singh, a man of
low station, a native of Majecto, but for some years a Hindoo
Fakeer, in Rohilcund. Mungla, the slave, was also imprisoned,
as well as a few others of less note. Sirdar Lal Singh Mara-
raja, who was designated to command the expedition against
the English, fled, and is believed to have crossed the Sutlej.
He was, on Heera Singh's death only a risaldar of orderly horse, and
raised by Jowahir Singh first to be a general and then a Sirdar, with
a view sometimes of going as a special ambassador to the English,
and sometimes of commanding an army to invade them. General
Mehtal Singh Majeeteea, and others of that family, lately leaders at
the Durbar, are in concealment, and orders were sent to bring Lal
Singh Adawlavee a prisoner from the sutlej bank opposite to Fe-
rozepore. Thus the whole of the members of the late Government
were either slain, imprisoned, or fugitives.
On the morning of the 22d, the Ranee, who has still great in-
fluence with the troops, reproacted them with the death of her
brother, and threatened to destroy herself and her son. The Pun-
chayet released Deewan Deena Rath and Ultur Singh Kaleewala,
with orders to sooth the Ranee. After some time, she and her son
and their attendants, came out to where the body of Jowahir Singh
was lying almost cut to pieces. The Ranee and her women broke
out into violent lamentations, which moved the soldiers so much
that they permitted her and her son to return to the fort, carryit4
with her the Sirdar's body. They also allowed Decwan Deena
Nath and Sirdar Ultur Singh Kaleewala to accompany her.
The body was carried, first to the fort, and then to the burning
place, where, amidst a great concourse of people, tour of the Sirdar's
wives were burned with it. Tke crowd was so great on the way
from the fort, that they broke the order of the procession, and two
companies of sepoys on duty with it, during the confusion, plundered
the Sirdar's wives of all the jewels and ornaments with which they
were decked for the occasion, and which were intended for distribu-
tion to Brahmins and others at the pile. Suttees are sacrel, and
receive worship; their last words are considered prophetic, their
blessing eagerly sought for, and their curses dreaded. Deewan Deena
Nath, the Ranee, the Maharaja and others prostrated themselves
before them, and obtained their blessing. This was repeated at the
pile by Deewan Deena Nath, and by the Ranee, and her sowree by
proxy. The suttees blessed them, but cursed the Seikh Punth. At
the pile they were asked the fate of the Punjaub, and declared that
during the present year its independence would cease, that the Seikh
sect would be conquered, the wives of the Seikh soldiery be widows,
and the country desolate ; but that the Ranee and her son wouldlive
long and happily, and the Maharaja continue to reign. These pro-
phecies made a great impression on the superstitious multitude, and I
mention them on that account, and because they doubtless express
the opinions of persons about the Durbar.
At noon of the 22d my latest letters left Lahore ; a company of
infantry had arrived at the fort to demand Deewan Deena Nath and
Sirdar Ultur Singh Kaleewala, but with what intent was not known.
The troops had that morning put Raja Lal Singh in irons, as having
dishonoured the Ranee, " the mother of all the Seikhs." They had
also made Deewan Deena Nath announce, in their name, to all go-
vernors and officers the death of Jowahir Singh, and had consented
to do the same to the Vakeela with me ; but they had forbidden any
eomrannication directly to me, saying that in future no letter to the
English was to be written till the army had deliberated on its con-
tents. They declared, however, that they desired peace, but that it
troops marched from our stations to Loodianah and Ferozepore,
they would march too ; if not, that each power should keep its own
territory in peace.
They give out that Baja Ghoolab Singh is to have the Wuzeership
only on condition of increasing their pay, and making a considerable
donation ; but till the party of chiefs which is moving them through
the Punchay ets shall decide on its next step, little reliance is to be
placed on what they may say. For the present, however, there is
no recognised head of the Government except the Punehayets of the
army, which have net for some days used the name of the Maharaja
at all ; and the voice of the troops was, on the 22d, for remaining in
this state till the Dusserah, when they propose to nominate a Govern-
ment to carry on ordinary business under the Punchayets. They have
named one of the minor Sirdars, Mujan Pirthee Singh, a relation of
the Jummoo family, who has, without appearing, been deep in the
intrigues of the last few months.
No. 7.

The Governor-General to the Secret Committee.—Camp, ituttra,
Nov. 6, 1845.—(N0 8.)
(Extract.)
The Ranee continues to carry on the government in her own name
as regent for her son ; she consults alternately Deewan Deena Nath
and Bhahee Ram Singh, with Raja Lal Singh, and endeavours to
play off one against the other, while she, with the concurrence of
the army, governs in person as the army chooses.
She is said to have shown much spirit and energy on more than
one occasion lately ; and to have laid aside to a great extent all
debaucheries with her veil ; she now appears openly to her troops,
and in public generally ; and has been leading a more regular life,
desiring that it may be thought she devotes herself to state affairs.
In the meantime dissensions are beginning to show themselves
amongst the troops ; Court's brigade baying divided itself into two
parties, with separate interests.
The small amount of money remaining in the treasuries is becom-
ing notorious ; and many excesses have been committed by the
troops on their return from leave. Two generals have been beaten,
and turned out of the camp, and demands made on the Ranee for
generals of the troops' own selection and nomination.
Sirdar Tej Singh has returned from Peshawur, and is intriguing on
his own account, while Raja Ghoolab Singh continues to strengthen
himself, and to watch events. Ile has lately entertained a large
number of A ffghan troops. Confidential agents, with overtures from
different parties, have been endeavouring to open communications
with the agent, who, as before instructed, hears what every person
has to say to him, but gives no sort of encouragement to any one.

No. 8

The Governor-General to the Secret Committee.—Camp, Delhi,
November 18, 1845.—(N0. 9.)
(Extract.) . _ _

(Extract.)
We take tke earliest opportunity of forwarding to you the copy of
a minute by the Governor-General, dated the 16th ultimo, relative to
the proposed visit of hls Excellency to the Upper Provinces daring
the ensuing cold season. In the arguments contained in the minute,
relative to the high expediency, if not necessity, for the presence of
the Governor-General in the neighbourhood of our north-west fron-
tier atter the close of the rains, we unanimously and entirely concur.
Enclosure In No. 1.
Minute by the Governor-General of India.—June 16, 1845.
.)
As the thee has now arrivedt when preparations will require to be
made for the journey of the Governor-General to the Upper Pro-
vinces, I consider it most advisable to consult my colleagues before
any steps are taken to
carry that intention into effect.
Under ordinary circumstances I should have desired, on public
grounds, to remain the next winter and summer at Calcutta, in order
to have the advantage et the
by which course the usual business
and advice of the Council,
iness of the Government can be trans-
acted with more unity, regularity,general satisfaction than when
the Governor-General is separated and general his colleagues.
On the other hand, it is clearly n yduty to place myself in that
Position, as regards the exerciseiy ‘xoeruons
of my functions, but which I can
most advantageously apply ,
the
realfer the service of the state.
In this, as in every other case
Itien for decision is,
whether it is more for the public interests that te should this autumn
proceed to the Upper Provinces, or remainthe usual seat of Go-
yernment. .
_Between ray
colleagues and myself there has always a
existed
desire, and perfect unison of opinion, that no effort -
Most. anxiousdesire, s or
precautions should be spared to maintain a Seikh Government in the
yunienb aa long All. ft may. be Possible.
tic policy of the Government of India
paCt ~. . Into effect,
TO carry the
we jive been content to sutler great Ineenvenlence,lconsiderable ea-
' necessarily caused by the presence of a large
pence, and some riga', , OR our part, an
disorganised Se'
ed for the protection of our frontier, and in Seikh fore(' on the frontier, requiring_
close
army to be assembled I need not enter into the considera_
contact with that of the Seikhi ;
sUeCessfill state of mutiny, So close
lion of the various auestions. of floliei tude which are involved in the
in a
proximity of a Seikh army, ..
upon our frontier.
s ect of the re-establishment
We have never, relinquished the hope that some amelioration may
dinarY
eventually take place, affording theyro P.
carry on its or
of a Seikh Governwent, able tofunctions We
have never abandoned the expectation that,
having reached
after anarchy and mill
tart' violence have long prevailed, these disordOrg,
their maturity, might subside, worn lout andsmind might
xhauSted
d „master
by their own
virulence ; or that some man of superiority
my
and to
re-
appear amongst them, able to control this mUtinOUS ar ,
construct a strong Seikh Government.
I must confess that these hopes have not been strengthverilibliy.
recent events ; and now that we can, at this season, when an
op'
tary operations are nearly suspended, deliberately review the p _
Beal and military condition of the Punjaub, I can arrive at no otner
conclusion then that the state of our relations with that country has
become more critical than it has been at any time since Raja Heera
Singh's death.
When the finances of the state shall be found insufficient to pay the
troops, a state of things may arise at any moment requiring the in-
atant dec!sion of the highest authority on the spot.
The instroctians which we may send from Calcutta may be very
proper, and aolteable to the state of things which may have hap-
pened on the fre.'itier ten days before, when the report was made ;
and nay, when the Instructions are received, twenty days after the
event, be totally insildicable,
In ordinary transamiovis this 6 an inconvenience, but in the state
of the Punjaub it to positively dangerous.
I have a firm conviction that the chances of preserving peace
will be diminished by the powerless state in which the Government
-svoUld be placed, by not being able to act with decision and prompti-
' .ode, and that opportdulties woelubs lest of eneetlita Sunni poi, and

No material change in the state of parties or affairs at Lahore has
taken place.
The Ranee, taking with her the young Maharaja, went in person
to Umritstr, to endeavour to induce the HilWar at Govindghur to
make over to her a part of the treasure there, to meet the demands
of the troops for their pay.

After much discussion and intrigue 20 lacy of rupees were promised,
whereof 10 Lacs were placed at the Ranee's disposal.
Before the remaining 10 lace could be obtained, news arrived from
Lahore that the troops there had given out that the Ranee and young
Maharaja had absconded, and that preparations were in forwardness
for proclaiming the infant son of the late Shere Sing Maharaja, and
for appointing Raja Ghoolab Singh Minister.
This caused the Ranee and her party to return forthwith to
Lahore, where they are said to have arrived just in time to arrest
the progress of these proceedings ; and her presence and energetic
behaviour appear to have restored her influence for a time.
The ten lace brought from Govindghur have been made over to the
pay department; and the arrangements by assignments, &c., which
the Ranee was making, would, it was thought, enable her to meet
the present demands of the troops.
I send the copy of an official communication (secret) which I have
made to the Commander-in-Chief, relating to commissariat arrange-
ments for a portion of the army stationed on the frontier during the
present season. My reason for making these arrangements are con-
tained in the letter to his Excellency.

Enclosure in No. 8.

The Governor-Getteral to the Commander-in-Chlef.--Agra, 0e-

tober 24,1845.
(Extract.)

. ,
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that, on or before
the 12th of November, arrangements will be made by which the
commissariat department will be prepared to equip nearly two-
thirds of the force at and in advance of Meerut, with the necessary
means of marching at the shortest notice.
. .

The extent to Which it may be expedient to be prepared with this
description of equipment must always be dependent on contingent
events, which fluctuate, in an unsettled Government like that of
Lahore, in a manner which, defies all ordinary calculations of pro-
bable results.

In the present state of our relations with the. Lahore Government,
your Excellency is aware that I do not anticipate the probability of
any emergencies arising which can require the army, under your Ex-
cellency's orders, to take the field this autumn.
Nevertheless, having to deal with a mutinous Seikh army, which
has usurped the functions of the Government, and whose caprice
may, at any time, force on a rupture with our forces on the frontier,
I have deemed it advisable to be prepared with the means of move-
ment to the following extent :-7 troops of Horse Artillery, 6 Com-
panies Foot Artillery, 4 Light .Field Batteries, 2 regiments of Dra-
goons, 3 regiments of Light Cavalry, 5 regiments European Infantry,
13 regiments Native Infantry, 6 companies Sappers and Miners, 2
regiments Irregular Cavalry ; and as it is most desirable that the ar-
rangement should be made on the most economical scale, the whole
will be hired at the halting rates.
ocasrapel I expect, the tone of the Lahore Durbar should continue to
defensive
Europeanre friendly,ocvfhot
deeath, I shall be anxious, according to events, gradually to diminish
be
elinfe
sattnihroeeaencprth.re
La; hnbtaesepnrbeepernaaraatdthei
preparation
nfeo,a se since Sirdar Jiwahir Singh's
,ba,:baegfoorea,
nisimstrictly otfhae
accozding to the rdwellitclicsehion of the Government of
InNdioa
camlast year. The number required would probably exceed 1,200
Lieutenant-Colonel Parsons, the Deputy Commissary-General, will be instructed to communicate with your Excellency on this subject,
and will postpone his usual tour of inspection for one month,

No. 9. -
The Governor-General to the Secret Committee.—camp, Umballa,
December 2, 1845.—(N0. 15.)

(Extract.)

I left Delhi on the 19th ultlino, makins the usual macho towards

THE SUN, LONDON, MATTYRDAY EVENING,. FEBRUARI 283 iP46,

Kurnaul and Umballa, with the Intention of meeting the Commander-
in-Chief at the latter 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 geikh army 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, ana 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 world appear (if these papers are
to be depended upon) to have originated with the Ranee and certain
of the Sirdars, who telt the pressure of the demands of tile 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
demands for higher pay, by employing their energies in hostile opera-
tions against the British Government.
The precautions already adopted to provide against the possibility
of our forces being unprepared to meet any movement of the Seikh
army this season, and the arrangements made by the Commander-in-
Chief on the 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 from
Umballa by Dak, returning to his 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 which his Ex-
cellency had given, to hold the troops in readiness to move at the
shortest notice, and in the instructions which he had sent to the
officers 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 field 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
artillery.
After a full and satisfactory consultation with his Excellency, and
taking into consideration the improbability of the Seikh army cross-
ing the Sutlej, I determined that no movement should be made
towards the river by the forces from Umballa and Meerut, and I
postponed for further 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
At the present moment his Excellency coincides with me that no
between me and the Commander-in-Chief, will be reported to you.
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 had actually left Lahore a few miles in advance, to be followed
the next morning by three other brigades, including one of artillery.
This was on the 24th ult. The intelligence received from that date
arrives.
has been communicated to me by Major Broadfoot each day, as it
It is said they intend, in reply to Major Broadfoot's remonstrance,
to allege that the fact of 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 Sntlej ; that they intend to demand the reasons
of our preparations ; to insist on the surrender to tke 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 Lahore possessions on
this side the Sutlej.

I need only remark, on the first and most essential point, that the
Seikh army did in the beginning of last January prepare to move to
the Sutlej. 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,
Mb,. entered into very full explanations, which were conveyed to
the Lahore Vakeel.

The Government of India, through its Political Agent, has more
than once complained of the inconvenience and expense of being
obliged to retain so large a British force on the frontier, in conse-
quence of the ungovernable misconduct of the Seikh army—a fact
well known 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 hostile 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 Feroze-
pore, had not arrived. At Loodianah, one of the two regiments oi
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.
Ihav
if
givieiththey shouldese det
beails mto adseh.ow the hollow pretences of such
assertions,

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, although
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 Artillery, from
Cawnpore ; 1 troop of European Horse Artillery; 4 regiments of
Native Cavalry ; 5 ditto Native Infantry ; which, wills the concur-
rence of the Commander-in-Chief, will be =stoned, with the excep-
tion of the European artillery at or near Kimna, twenty-eight miles
froni Loodianah, and ten miles in advance of Suhind. This intention
will not he divulged at the present moment, pending events at La-
hore, and no step will be taken calculated to excite alarm which in
prudence can be dispensed with. The Commissariat arrangements
are nearly complete, on a scale adapted for defensive purposes, en-
abling the forces 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
further changes will take place at Lahore, and that the weak Go-
vernment of the Regent will be subverted by the violence of the
troops, instigated by the intrigues of the party favourable to the Raja
Ghoolab Singh.
Up to the present hour 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 a cause justifying hostilities, if no
actual violation of our frontier should occur. The same privilege
which we take to adopt precauticnary measures on our side must be
conceded to 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 present movement against as, and to evince
their adherence to our interests. lhe answer I have desired may
be given to them is, that we do not anticipate that the Seikhs will
proceed to unprovoked hostilities ; but that, should such 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 account of their position in the Punjaub.
I have every reason to be satisfied with the ability, energy, and
sound judgment dispiayed by Major Broadfoot in the course of these
proceedings.
Letter referred to in No. 9.

The Secretary to the Government of Inala to tile 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 •f Ghoolab Singh at
Lahore, which party, by detaching a portion of the Seikh army to-
wards the Sutlej, 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 friends 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 you to the letter, Secret Department, of the 10th instant,
d
thetlCl samemanddaetre, info. hi
le7f,
oaftwidhitech baeg you copy
was sent with
forthwith to
mast
aydt
dispatchere st soetdho
of te
Durbar the exact truth, as follows :
5. That a barrack for a European regiment of infantry had for a
length of time been ordered to be constructed at Ferozepore, of which
the foundations 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 Wuzeer Raja Heera Singh, had postponed to give orders for
the completion of this building, in order that no question might arise,
exciting any doubt 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 Ferozepore has remained of
the same strength as before, notwithstanding the recent violent pro-
ceedings of the Seikh army against its] own Government, which
conduct it is unuecessary now to comment upon otherwise than to
repeat that it is conduct utterly repugnant to British feeling and Bri-
tish policy ; and that this army has become so notoriously beyond
control, that the Governor-General in Council, always anxious to pre-
serve the tranquillity of the Seikh states under his protection, will,
under existing circumstances, now proceed to complete the buildings
at Ferozepore according to his original intention, and also to rein-
force that post by an additional force of native infantry.
7. You are requested to impress on the Vakeel that the same for-
bearaace has been shown since the death of the Wuzeer Raja Heera
Singh, in order to evince the friendly feeling of the Governor-
General in Council towards the Maharaja, in proof of which you
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 Vakeel, 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 sac-
cesser 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. _ _

Mutinous ungovernable state, will be your answer to any questions
which may arise as to British reinforcements arriving on the Sutlej
or its immediate neighbourhood.--I have, &c.
F. CUItRIE.
Letter referred to in the preceding Letter.
The Political Agent to the Commander-in-Chief.
Camp, Laskar-Khas•kee-Serai, Jan. 15, 1845.
have the honour to inclose, for your Excellency's informa-
tion, a translation of an extract from Lahore intelligence received
last night.
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 occurred at Umballa, or whether the whole is not mere idle
rumour.
3. A second dispatch, arrived this evening, brings further intern-
price 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 circumstances 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 Umballa, 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 intercourse 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 be at present possible, which
couldlead tee to do more than make the application usual in such
cases fer 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,
and 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 of Umritsir and other detach-
ments, to countermand the march of the troops now proceeding to
Jummoo, and allowing nothing for men on leave, or sick, or false
musters, they can , nly collect of regular troops as follows :
Infantry - - - 12,300
Cavalry - - - 1,300
Artillery - - 1,530

Total - 14,930
a number inferior, I believe, to that 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 peasantry of Jessotas, nor
do anything but plunder the poople, insult and beat; their officers,
and return at will to their own homes. In additien to this, they
have, however, the following undisciplined troops :
Irregular infantry, 1,500 ; two battalions of Heera Singh's bill-men,
who haves joined the Seikhs for high pay, and have received muskets
and are now at drill.
Irregular horse, 4,750, including those at Umritair, 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 Akbar."

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 armies, that the whole of the victorions troops 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 aisle to march with everything necessary
at four hours' notice ; and 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 it the rumour that the march
is to take place very shortly on further orders being fthued, and that
it is to be towards Ferozepore ; and the gentleman of •Umballa has
been instructed (advised) respecting the procuring of carts and
camels, 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 to the Governor-General to the Lahore Vakeel Ratee
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 increase 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 of the late Maharaja Runjeei Singh 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 portion of men to-
wards the Jalunder Doab without previous intimation to the agent,
and never advanced a larger force without first ascertaining the
wishes of the agent on 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
since,:it is not impossible that it may be true. I therefore now place
explicitly in writing what I formerly mentioned to you, as I am bound
to do by existidg rules of friendship,—
That 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 ; for the sender of
the troops, whether openly or secretly,must be necessarily considered
as implicated 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 which they belong is also an enemy. The
prowess of the British Government, and the strictness with ;which it
maintains the rilles of friendship are well known to the SeikhDurbar.
Communicate to me immediately whatever may come to your know-
ledge on this subject. G. BROADFOOT.

-
Enclosure No, 2, inNo. 9.
' The Political Agent to the Commander-in-Chief.
Governor-General's Agency, 20th November, 1845.
I 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 the following plan of operations
The army was to be divided into seven divisions, ono to remain at
Lahore and the rest to proceed against Roopar and our hills, Loo-
dianah, Hurreekee, Ferozepore, and Scinde, while one was to proceed
to Peshawur ; and aforce under Raja Gholab Singh was to be sent to
Attock.

Each division was to be of 8,000 to 12,000 men against Ferozepore,
under Sham Singh Attarewallah, whose estates adjoin the place
against which it was to act. Against Hurreekee is to go Raja Lal
Singh ; against Looclianah, 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 4,600 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
following suggestions
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, &c., should
be got ready.
With respect 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 come to a pitch which makes some
notice of it by our Government not easily avoidable; and this being
the case, and as the Governor-General is so near, it may be desirable
to await his arrival, or his decision as to the extent of what may be
done, 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)
Enclosure No. 3 in No. 9.

G. BROADFOOT,

The Agent to the Governor-General to the Secretary to the Govern•
ment of India.—Camp, Umballa, Nov. 20, 1845,
(Extract.)

I have the honour to forwaid, for theinformatien of his Excellency
the Governor-General, a copy of a demi-official letter to his Ex-
cellency the Commander-in-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-officially, and what will be gathered from my letters, that no
complaint of any kind has been made to me by the Durbar, and that
the pretext of a grievance alleged has been dropped by the Durbar,
and rejected by the troops. The truth is, all are in a false position,
from the unlooked-for results of the cry raised 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 find
new means of power :tad wealth, and, if beaten, that they will be
what most of them desire, the heads of a subsidiary, instead of an in-
dependent state.
This opinion has never received any countenance from me, but the
very contrary ; and the Durbar will by this time have received the
perwunnah which I addressed to the Vakeel, when the intrigues
which have led to the present state of things assumed a serious form.
It will be seen from 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 from my assistants, respecting the runsonrs on
the' frontier, showed that our posts there were vigilant ; and I ab-
stained, therefore, from communicating with the military authorities,
in order to prevent the Durbar having the smallest ground to say that
any menacing preparations or movements en 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, I ferebore to write to
his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and even to-day
I ventured to recommend to his Excellency that no
steps should be taken for the present. Since then, however, authentic
intelligence has reached me that the Durbar has openly adopted,
and ordered in writing, a fixed plan of operations against the English,
and I accordingly addressed to his Excellency the Commander-in-
Chief the letter, of which a copy is annexed.

'l3: You will observe to the Vakeel that, in despite of the friendly
conduct of the Governor-General in Council, a portion of the Selkh
army has been moved towards the Sutlej, on the pretext of rumours
from the cantonments of Umballa ; and you will say, that the Go-
♦ernor-General in Council advises the Maharaja's Government to
disregard rumours and newspaper reports, over whieh the Governor-
General in Council exercises no control.

ptruonththeplaDinulrybator
hisVakeel that
You will
declarepretsah
eu
tio9n.sHighness's Government,
confidence of the Governor-General in Council, and thaytoyuopuorsisnesstsrthuce
reiterating the same sentiments as those conveyed by your prede-
cessor, that the Governer-General in Council has a sincere desire to
see a strong Government re-established at Lahore, such as that
which existed in the time of our faithful ally, his Highness Maharaja
Runjeet Singh.
10. Having taken the opportunity which this movement of Seikh
troops towards the Sutlej so suitably affords, of declaring our inten-
tions as to the military arrangements about to be made at Feroze-
.pore, you will state that the British Government does not desire to
interfere in the internal affairs of the Punjaub ; that the Governor-
General in Council regrets the embarrassments under which the
Seikh Government at present labours, and sincerely trusts that they
may be overcome by firmness and prudence.
11. In making these communications, you will modify them, if ne •
cessary, in reference to any events which have occurred in the in-
terval which must unavoidably elapse before your receipt of them,
taking care not to commit the Government of India to any line of
action involving any principle of policy not in accordance with the
spirit of your instructions.
12. You will continue to do everything in your power to convince
the Government of Lahore of the good faith of the Government of
India, so as to enable the Seikh Government to direct the efforts of
their army to the legitimate object of coercing its enemies ; and if
Vie opportunity should occur, you will, without exciting any irrita-
tion, but in the most friendly terms, state that the Governer-General
in Council has, in consideration of the difficult eircumstonces in which
the Government of the Maharaja is placed, and for other obvious
reasons, hitherto forborne to make the unruly and ungovernable con-
dition of the Seikh army a subject of formal remonstrance to the
Maharaja. The Governor-General in Council trusts that a return-
ing 'sense of the duty which the army owes to the Maharaja may
avert the necessity of his taking any such step, and that he may
hear that which will be much more gratifying to him, that it has
obediently marched against his Highness's enemies, and honourably
fulfilled the true functions of an army, by supporting the just autho-
rity of its Sovereign and his Government.
13. You wiil understand that this caution, although incidentally
given, will be distinctly delivered. The state of this army, the Go-
vernor-General in Council observes, so close upon our frontier, may
become an intolerable nuisance ; and although it would be a mockery
to expect that the Lahore Government, in the state of anarchy and
weakness in which it at present can scarcely be said to exist, can re-
gulate the conduct of an army which exercises over that Government
daily acts of coercion and tyranny, nevertheless, the Governor-Ge-
neral in Council deems it expedient that a notice, in hen most
guarded terms, should be given of "the great inconvenice to
which the British Government is exposed,
Lahore Government was in a state of greater strength and responsi-
bility, the Governor-General in Council would justly have cause to
complain.
14. You will observe, in the letter of the Governor-General in
Council to the Commander-in• Chief, of the 10th of January, that
the reinforcements, European and native, to be posted at Ferozepore,
were not to be moved up by the Commander-in-Chief, unless on a
report of an emergency from yourself; and that, in that letter to
the Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-General in Council would be
satisfied if the reinforcements 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 source of uneasiness to the Seikh Government,
and at the same time placing our advanced post in that condition to
be able to defend the post and the passage of the river, in which,
under existing circumstances, it ought at all times to remain.
15. I am directed to take this opportunity to send you a copy of
Papers, by which you will be apprised that two additional native
regiments of Infantry have been ordered up, making the additional
four between Meerut and the Sutlej, one European• regiment, two
battalions
of European artillery, seven regiments of native infantry,
and one N. I. horse artillery.
16. This movement of the Selkh army towards the Sutlej, and its ,

. -
I now only suggest abstinence from movement on account of the
vicinity of the Governor-General, who will probably think the
matter now one which has gone too far to be left unnoticed, whether
the troops actually move from Lahore or not.
That I presumed to suggest any delay whatever is owing to this :
It appears to me that the frontier is too long to he defensible on all
points by any force we can move; that our two posts on the frontier
are strong enough to maintain themselves till relieved ; and that to
attempt reinforcements, therefore. in anticipation of those of the
Seikhs, would be useless as protecting the open country, and might
impede any operations which the Governor-General may resolve on.
Moreover, the delay recommended is only one of two or three days
till an answer to this letter can be received.
The Seikh Sirdars on this side of the Sutlej have for many months
past been called on to keep their troops in readiness to repel the in-
vasion of their territories, and I have now directed them to prepare
to repel the threatening aggression.—I have, &c.,
(Signed) G. BROADFOOT.
P.S. It is right to add, that up to the last moment •the regular
troops were discussing the propriety of murdering Raja Lal Singh
and Sirdar Tej Singh,land sending for Raja Ghoolab Singh to lead them.
The two ehleis menaced look for escape to exciting enthusiasm
against the English. This may delay or precipitate invasion.
Enclosure No. 4 in No. 9.

The Commander-in -Chief to the Agent to the Governor-General.—
Camp, Umballa, Nov. 20, 1845.
Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt, this moment,
of your letter of this date, conveying to me intelligence of the hostile
attitude which has been assumed by the Lahore Durbar.
Under the circumstances, I have ordered the following prepara-
tions to be entered upon immediately, to meet whatever may take
place :

Her Majesty's 9th Lancers to move at once from Meerut to
Umballa.

To be held in readiness to move from Meerut to Kurnaul on the
shortest notice—two troops of Horse Artillery; her Majesty's 16th
Lancers; the 3d Regiment of Light Cavalry; her Majesty's 10th
Foot, save one company ; the corps of Sappers and Mixers ; all save
one of the regiments of native infantry.
The Bth regiment of Irregular Cavalry will likewise be held pre-
pared to move from Hansee to Kurnaul, and the Sirmoon Battalion
from Deyrah to Saharumpore, where it will be centrically situated,
and ready to be moved wherever it may most be required ; the 4th
regiment of Irregular Cavalry will be brought up from Bareilly to
Meerut.

I beg that you will instruct the civil authorities at Simla to place
themselves in communication with the officers commanding European
corps in those hills, and ascertain from them what numbers of
coolies will be required to enable the regiments to move, in order
that they may he collected at once. Supplies for the corps in the
hills will be required to be laid in on the roads leading thence to
Sirhind.

I shall direct the other corps of all arms in this division to draw
their carriage into cantonments, in view to the troops being prepared
to act on the shortest notice.

Previous to adopting any further measures at present I would
await a communication of the views of the GoVernor-General.

I have, &c.

H. GOUGII

(Signed)
Enclosure No. 5, in No. 9.
The Agent to the Governor-General to the Seeretary to Government,

Umbalia,-.Nov.
ted 21,.
The Durbar of the forenoon of the 18th was protrac ti 111845 two
o'clock, but I have net the details of the afternoon Durbar.
11 a.m. was the bow found by the astrologers as auspicious for
the march of the troops; not a chief stirred from his house. The
officers and Punchayeta of the troops, regular and irregular, to the
number of a couple of thousand, crowded to the Durbar, and de-
manded the reason ; the Ranee tried to soothe them, saying, that the
fortunate hour being passed, the march could not now be undertaken
till the astrologers found another. The crowd demanded that this
should be Instantly done, and the court astrologer was ordered Into
their presence to find the proper time. He pored through his tables

for two or three hours, while the Ranee sought to divert the atten-
tion of the military mob ; at length he announced that the most fa-
vourable day was not till the 15th Mujsur (28th November). The
military were furbus, and declared that he was an impostor, and
that they had to get from him two crores of rupees, which he had
made from the public money ; the pundit implored mercy, and said
the 7th Mujsur (20th) was also a good day; the military were still
angry, and the poor pundit left amidst their menaces.
They proposed that the Ranee and her son should march, and in-
timated that till she made an example of some chief no march would
take place.
The Ranee complained that whilst the troops were urging the
march, they were still going home to their villages as fast as they
got their pay ; and Sirdar Sham Singh Attareewallah declared his
belief to be that unless something was done to stop this, he would
find himself on his way to Ferozepore with empty tents. The bait
of money to be paid, and to accompany them, was also offered, and
at length the Dunbar broke up at two P.M. Great consultations took
place in the afternoon, but I know only one result, that the Ranee
had to give her lover his formal dismissal, and that he (Raja Lal
Singh) actually went into the camp of the Sawars he is to command,
and pitched his tent.
What the Ranee says is quite true of the sepoys dispersing to their
houses ; the whole affair has so suddenly reached its present height,
that many of the men themselves think it will come to nothing, and
still more who have taken their departure do not believe it serious
enough to go back. On the day alter this scene took place, i.e., the
19th, the usual streams of sepoys, natives of the protected states, who
had got their pay, poured across the Sutlej, at Ilureekee, on the way
to their homes. Every preparation, however, for war is making
with probably more energy than if it had been a long-planned scheme,
for every person of whatever party must show his sincerity by acti-„,..
vity and virulent professions of hatred to the English.
Enclosure No 6, in No. 9.
Letter from Lahore, Evening of the 24th November, 1845.
Bhaee Ram Singh thus advised Raja Lal Singh:---` The English have
interfered in no affairs of the Khalsa ; what is the wisdom of your
making a (religious) war at the bidding of the soldiery ? None of
the nobles have discovered the real intentions of the English. The
Governor-General's agent, who is a steady friend, and charged with
the relations of the friendship between the two Governments, has
written in the plainest terms,• that the English Government desires
only friendship like that of the late Maharaja Runjeet Singh; but that
if anything wrong is done by the Seikh army, the rulers of the king-
dom will be held responsible, for rulers must account for the acts of
their troops and subjects. Be cautious how you march to Hureekee
with the troops."
The Raja said, " Bhahee Sahib, what can Ido ? If I remain, the
soldiery call me to account" (seize me by the throat.) The Bhaee
said, " Delay a few days ; require the other Sirdars to go forward, or
you will bring the whole odium and risk on yourself; and it you go
to Hureekee, what will you do? If the English do not attack you,
you will sit there and be ruined; who will protect you ?"
The Raja said he would go to that Dheora, and stay in his tent
(near Shalimar), and he begged the Bhaee's influence to have his
departure delayed.
The Raja went to his tent, and told the officers of the cavalry to
march, as he was ready. They, that is Dal Singh, of Rythub, said,
" Raja, you have never seen war of any kind, and know nothing of
war with the English ; send en the regular troops ; we will join
rapidly when the war begins. Tej Singh is a wise man ; let him go
first."

The Raja is greatly ashamed, and sent word to the Bhaee to say
he would remain and send on ammunition.
No. 10.

The Governor-General to the SeCreiCommittee.—Camp, Umballa,
December 4, 1845. (No. 16).
(Extract.)
Major Broadfoot having reported to me that the Lahore Vakeel
had joined the camp from Loodianah, I directed Blajor Broadfoot to
see him and to require from him the reply to his perwannah, remon-
strating against the proceedings which had taken place at the time it
was written, and demanding the cause thereof. The Vakeel waited
upon Major Broadfoot, and in reply to his requisition, asserted that
he had received no reply from the Durbar ; that he had sent the
communication immediately to Lahore, had received merely
an acknowledgement of its safe arrival, and that he had repeatedly
sent urging that a reply should be forwarded to him, but hitherto
without success ; but he asserted that he fully expected the reply by
that evening's post,
Major Broadfoot explicitly informed the Vakeel, as previously in-
structed by me, that the Governor-General would not permit the Lahore
Government to trifle with him in a matter of such serious impor-
tance ; that positive information had been received of the Lahore
army having left the capital towards the frontier, avowedly with
hostile intentions towards the British Government, to which course
they had been instigated by the express and repeated orders of the
Ranee and the chiefs, and that the Governor-General expected to re-
ceive, without further delay, an answer to the political agent's
written remonstrance. Major Broadfoot then said, that he should
report to the Governor-General the result of bis interview with the
Vakeel, and communicate in writing the orders he might receive.
The Vakeel said very little at this interview ; he protested that he
had done all in his power to procure a reply to the perwannah ; and
on Major Broadfoot's saying that we knew positively that the Ranee
and chiefs had ordered the present movement, he said he had no such
knowledge.
When Major Broadfoot reported to me, in the evening, the result
of this interview, I immediately directed him to address to the Va-
keel the written communication, a copy of which is inclosed.
I considered that it was absolutely necessary, on my arrival at
Umballa, to take decided notice of the extraordinary proceedings that
had taken place, and were stated to be still in progress. It was evi-
dent I could not permit the political agent's communicntions, in the
face of what was going on at Lahore, to be treated with disregard.
I took the mildest course in my power, consistently with the dignity,
position, and interests of the British Government. I purposely left an
opening to the Lahore Government to remedy, through its Vakeel,
the discourtesy it had shown, by affording to that Government the
facility of making any explanation it might desire. The plain• con-
struction to be put on the silence of the Lahore Government in reply
to the demand for explanation, evidently was, that the intentions of
that Government were hostile, in which case I did not deem it to be
expedient to give to that Government the leisure to complete their
hostile preparations ; whilst, on my part, I had abstained from mak-
ing any movement, expressly for the purpose of avoiding any cause
of jealousy or alarm; thus affording to the Maharaja's Government
the strongest proof of the good faith and forbearance of the British
Government.
Major Broadfoot entertains the impression that the reply to his
demands had been sent to the Vakeel, and had either been returned
by him, with a protest, (as is, I understand, often done) or was, at
the moment of the conference, in his possession, but was withheld
because the Vakeel was reluctant to deliver so unfriendly a docu-
ment.
However that may be, the perwannah from Major Broadfoot of the
evening of the 2d December was received by the Vakeel the same
night, and, with the reception of an acknowledgment of its receipt,
no further communication had passed between him and Major
Broadfoot. The Vakeel is not now in the camp.
I am satisfied that the course I have adopted was imperatively
required, and before I authorise any precautionary movements to be
made, I shall give full time for a reply to be received from Lahore.
This morning news up to the Ist inst. has been received. The Ranee
and tirdars are becoming more and more urgent that the army should
advance to the frontier, believing that, in the present posture of
affairs, the only hope of saving their lives and prolonging their
power is to be found in bringing about collision with the British forces.
The Seikh army moves with evident reluctance, and is calling for
Ghoolab Singh, who is collecting forces at Jumboo, and is watching the

progress of events.
My uwn impression remains unaltered. Ido not expect that the
troops will come as far as the banks of the Sutlej, or that any posi-
tive act of aggression will be committed ; but it is evident that the
Ranee and chiefs are, for their own preservation, endeavouring to
raise a storm, which, when raised, they will be powerless either to
direct or allay.
I shall, as I have before said, await the reply from Lahore to
Major Broadfoot's last communication to the Vakeel.
If the reply from the ostensible Government, acting under the
control and at the dictation of the army, is hostile, I shall at once
order up troops from Meerut and other stations to the support of our
advanced positions, persevering up to the last moment in the sin-
cere desire to avoid hostilities.
Enclosure No. 1, in No. 10.
The Agent to the Governor-General to the Lahore Vakeel.
December 2, 1845.

I wrote to you a letter on the 18th ult., requiring explanations as
to the reported orders of the Lahore Durbar to its troops, to move
towards the Sutiej with unfriendly intentions.
On the 20th inst. you answered from Loodianah, that you had for-
warded a copy of my letter to the Durbar immediately on receiving
it, and you stated that on receiving an answer you would forthwith
communicate it.
For several days past I have been in hourly expectation of your

answer, but none came.
This day, on your waiting on me, you informed me, that though
you had some days ago received from the Durbar an acknowledgment
of the receipt of your letter, you had received no answer to it, but
you had in the interval written repeatedly to the Durbar on the sub-
ject of it, and that you confidently expected an answer this day, or,
at furthest, to-morrow morning.
I pointed out to you that, notwithstanding the notoriety of the
events which had occurred at Lahore, and notwithstanding the in-
convenience suffered by the detention, on the frontier, of the bat-
talions about to leave it for Sinde and Bareilly, the Governor-Gene-
ral, in hopes of receiving, without delay, satisfactory explanations iu
answer to my letter, had continued the forbearance he had exercised
so long, and to so great an extent ; that no new troops had arrived
on the frontier, and that the Governor-General had proceeded slowly
on his journey in this direction, as intended, before the occurrence of
the events of which explanation is now demanded ; that I pointed
out that, notwithstanding this forbearance you had appeared atter so
long an interval without any answer to my demand for an explana-
tion, and that I saw this with surprise and regret.
I have now to communicate to you the following orders from the
G overnor-G eneral.
His Excellency has directed me t o say, that the rules of friend-
ship between the two states, and indeed the custom of all nations,
require that in answering a demand for explanations so grave as
those which have occurred at Lahore, not a moment is to be
lost, because delay cannot but operate to confirm the (most un-
friendly) worst construction of such events, and is, moreover, an
act of the highest discourtesy towards the Government, demanding
explanations. In this instance the requisition for explanation has
been disregarded, and the apparently hostile movements have been
continued.
Under these:circumstances the Governor-General feels it impossi-
ble to permit you, who are the authorised representative of the Go-
vernment which has offered to his Government so great a slight,
to continue in his Excellency's camp, while this slight is persevered
in ; he has directed me not to admit you to any further interview
with me, unless you come as the bearer of the answer of the Durbar
to my remonstrance ; and his Excellency further commands, that if
this answer be not delivered before neon to-morrow, you will quit
this camp.
To prevent, however, interruption to the business of this agency,
as regards the Mahaja's estates on this side of the Sutlej, I request
that yon will leave with me a confidential Moonshee to communi-
cate, during yoar absence, my orders, or those of the subordinate
courts of the agency, to the managers of those estates ; and you will
warn the Kardars and residents in those estates to obey all orders
coming from the ordinary courts through your Moonshee In the
same way as if received from yourself.
(Signed) G. BROADFOOr.
Enclosure No. 2, in No. 10.
The Lahore Vakeel to the Governor-General's Agent.;

--__ ---_ .
Your Letter, dated December 2, 1845, has been delivered tome by
Moulvee Rujub Ally Khan after midnight, and I have arranged for
its immediate transmission to the Durbar. •

Seal of Krishen Chund.
December 2, 1845, after midnight by our reckoning, 1 a.m., 3d

-No. 11.

The Governor-General to the Secret Committee.—Camp, Ferozepore,
December 31, 1845.—(N0. 18.)
(Extract.)
Since my last dispatch:to you, of the 4th inst., events of great
moment have occurred.
The Seikh army, in large numbers, commenced crossing the Sutlej
ou the 11th, and, after investing Ferozeporc on one side, took up. an
an entrenched position at the village of J'erezeshah, about ten miles
in advance of Ferozepore, and about the same distance from the vil-
lage of Moodhee.
In this camp the enemy had placed 108 pieces of cannon, some of
large calibre, with a force exceeding 50,000 men, for the purpose of
intercepting the approach of the British force, moving up from Um-
balls, to the relief of Ferozepore, which had been thus treacherously
attacked, without provocation or declaration of hostilities.
I had ordered on the Bth instant that portion of our army, posted
at Umballah for defensive purposes, to move up on the 11th, and
after a rapid march of 150 miles it reached Moodkee on the 18th,
where, ou the evening of the same day, it repulsed an attack of the
Seikh army, and captured 17 guns; on the following day the army was
concentratedat Moodkee, and OR the 21st moved by its left on Feroze-
pore, and having on the march formed its junction at half-past one
o'clock with 5,000 men and 21 guns under Major-General Sir John
Littler, which had moved from Ferozepore that morning, the Com-
mander-in-Chief formed the army in order of battle, and attacked
the enemy's entrenched camp, and on that evening and the follow-
ing morning, captured 70 pieces of artillery, taking possession of the
enemy's came, with large quantities of ammunition and warlike
stores.

These successful and energetic operations have been followed by
the retreat of the Seikh army to the other,side of the Sutlej, the Bri-
tish army being now encamped between Forozepore and the fords of
theSutlej,_

You will not fail to observe that these important and brilliant
successes have been achieved by that portion of our army posted at
and in advance of Unaballah, for defensive purposes ; and that our
forces from Meerut, and other stations from the rear, ordered to
move up at the same time, are in reserve, and will reach this neigh-
bourhood between the sth and the 9th of January.
I have the honour to enclose two reports from the Commander-in-
Chief, detailing the admirable manner in which these important
duties have been performed, and I am convinced the Court of Direc-
tors of the East India Company, in concurrence with her Majesty's
Government, will highly appreciate the eminent services rendered
by the Commander-ln-Chiet; and by the officers, non-commissioned
officers and soldiers of the Indian army.
The Commander-in-Chief has successfully accomplished every ob-
ject I had directed him to effect for the relief of Ferozepore, and the
protection of these British states. No accident or failure has oc-
curred during the complicated operations of a combined movement,
and our army, whether for defence or attack, has shown, as hereto-
fore, that its power is irresistible.
I also transmit a notification which I issued on the 25th instant,
and a general order recording the grateful acknowledgments of the
Indian Government for these important 'services.

I now proceed to detail the events which preceded a resort to arms.
and I am convinced that the forbearance manifested by me in all
these transactions will meet with your approval.
My previous correspondence will show the extreme anxiety I felt
to avoid hostilities, by friendly explanations required from the Lahor-
Durbar ; and my reluctance to give any cause for jealousy or alarm
to the Seikh army and Government was so strong, that from the 18th
of November up to the Bth of December, I deterred to make any
movement of troops, in the hope of proving the sincerity of our pro-
fessions by the moderation of our actions. This forbearance,.carried
to the utmost limits which prudence could allow, was not appreciated
at Lahore.
In the state of anarchy and uncontrollable power usurped by the
Seikh army, my reluctance to resent their hostile conduct may have
been misunderstood as the effect of conscious weakness or timidity ;
but the Lahore Government, there is every reason to believe, was
not influenced by any such impressions.
The Regent and her advisers courted collision for the purpose of
employing their unruly soldiers against their friendly neighbour, as
the safest means of extricating themselves from the personal dan-
gers W which they were constantly exposed; the Lahore Govern-