The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-13 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF THE PUNJAUB.

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE wished to put a
question to the Noble Earl opposite on the subject of
Indian affairs, which had recently, in consequence of
the increased rapidity of communication with this cowl.
try, .attracted more attention than they bad hitherto-
done. It was generally understood that a large army
was collected on the western frontier of our Indian terri-
tory. bordering on the Punjaub; that Sir Charles
Napier was to take the command of that army; and
that tho Governor-General was about to leave Calcutta
for the purpose of watching its operations. Now, it was.
impossible to forget the results of the last operations of
an army of observation commanded by the same gallant
officer, and superintended by the Governor-General. Ile
did not wish to make any further allusions to, a matter
on which their Lordships had agret d to suspend their
judgment, but he wished to ask whether the friendly
relations which hal hitherto subsisted between the Go-
vernment of Lahore and the Government of British
India still continued, and whether there was any rea-.
son to apprehend hostilities from that Government, or
from any of the other inhabitants of the Sikh country?
In the newly acquired territory of Sinde, the state of
affairs was such as to warrant great anxiety. Sir
Napier had thought it necessary to call together a meet-
ing of the Beloochee Chiefs. He was not asking the Go-
vernment to tell them directly what were the instructions
thachad been, given to Sir C. Napier as to the negotia-
tions he was conducting. But they should naturally be
very glad of any information the Government could give
them, and the more so, because it. had been rumoured
that there was a desire on the part of the Indian Govern-
ment to extend their territorial possessions beyond the
banks of the Indus and the Sutlej.. He was not going
into the policy of the occupation of Sinde, but it ap-
peared that the Indian Government had entertained the
idea of passing beyond the banks of the Indus, although
-the best authorities had laid it down that we ought not
to seek to extend our territorial possessions beyond
them. Be wished.to know whether Sir C. Napier had
been instructed to acquire, by negotiation or otherwise,
any addition to their territorial possessions on the banks
of the Indus or the Sutlej. Sir Charles Napier
had conquered the province of Sinde with five thousand
men, but to keep it he required a force of 16,000 men,
in consequence of its disturbed state, the natives being
less secure now than under a less liowerful Government.
He was not about to question the whole policy, but it
was a grave matter, and one that did require the consi-
deration of Parliament. He hoped before the close of
the sesion some information would be given to enable
them to judge of the real state of Sinde. The expense
01 4'. military establishment of India fell indirectly on
this country. taut the expenses were not the only evil,
for there had been great loss of life. He thought that
Parliament ought not to piwate wi091,4t.f01l informa-
tion being laid before it upon the subject. He wlsh6d,
therefore, to ask whether the Government would b@ able
to lay before Parliament, during the present session,
any statement of the financial affairs of Rinde, and also
of the amount of revenue the East India Company de
rived from that country ?
Wig) Earl of 4IPON had nos ant!cirated from' his