Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-24
KOH-I-NOOR'S OWNER
ENGLAND'S lMPLACABLE FOE AT
LAST ACCEPTS A PARDON.
Duieep Singh. the Last Of Race OF
kings-Career Of the Prince from
Whom the Koh-i-Noor was
Wrestsd.

LONDON. August 2i.-Duleep Singh has
been pardOned on the condition that ne
repounce his claims to Lahore. HIS tainl-
ly have for long time been urging him
toropent and to seek pardon for his past
conduct.
When the princes Of the Punjab were
informed that pardon had been granted
they refused to concur unless they were
subsidized.
Duleep Singh expects to have a part OF
his dominion returned TO him. lie Will
remain IN Europe.
Duleep Singh. when a little boy. was the
Maharajah OF Lahore and the owner OF
tle hoh-i-noor or Mountain OF light, no"
the chief among the crown jewels OF Eng
lahd. Duleep was not yet in his teens
when the great Sikh dynasty, OF when ne
was the last representative, fell before the
arms Of England. and the little boy lost his
throne and his wonderful diamond. Inc
third clause OF the treaty OF peace pro-
yded that the gem called the hoh-l-noor
shall be surrendered by the MaharaJah Of
Lahore 20 the Queen Of England"
II i doubtful If the English ever spent
so much money on any other fallen Zoe as
on the ex-Maharajah Of Lahore. He was
taken 10 England along with the Kohl
/ moor and no English prince was ever more
carefully reared and educated. As he grew
10 manhood Parliament voted him money
| to buy magnificent estate and $4,000 q
year TO keep the wolf from the door. lie
| became extremely lavish IN his expendi-
lures, supported a frst-class shooting box
and stable, on grand occasions outshone
| everybody in the splendor Of his diamonds,
andiu fact became once Of the mOst stunning
| young men IN England. He was now and
| then guest at the palace and was aiayorlto
| III arlstoCratic society.
81 should like" he said one dav, ito
| place the Koh-i-noor in the Queens hand
| now that am man. ] was only child
| when ] surrendered it 70 her by the treaty,
| but now / am old enough 20 understand
| Tho very next day he was summoned TO
! the Palace. The Iewel was placed IN his
| hand. and for some time he tOyed with It,.
! Then the descendant of Eastern kings
J handed back the rich prize of many con-
! quests and formally remarked that 1t gave
| him much pleasure 20 place the Jewel IN
| the hand of his sovereign.
But not n great while after DulCep Singh
ceased 10 hold the Queen in such high re-
! gard. lie begged 30 inquire how many
| millions she was making out of his old
! country. tho luniab, while he was almost
! starving on the beggarly pitianco Of Sl2j,-
/ 900 year In fact Sl2j,0OO was small
! sum of money when compared with the
/ almost fabulous income or his predeces-
| sors on the throne Of Lahore. lie appealed
| TO the Government 20 give him a larger al
| lOwance. but the request was refused. SO
| Duleep Singh said If be couldn't have
enough money 20 properly support his
| dignity he would not take penny. He
| therefore betook himself and his gorgeous
! diamonds 10 foreign parts. His gems, like
| the Koh-i-uOor. We're derived from his
! fathers aud were worth gOOdlv fortune.
His departure moved the British 20 con-
! temptation. They really did not know
| how much mischief the eX-MaharaJah
might stir up among the dlsaiiected ele-
mcnts in India He had hardly crossed
! over 20 France before the British offered
/ him all he had asked 10 come back. But
| be would not stir peg. lie was the Sikh
/ chief again, robbed OF his rights. his peO-
! pie. and his snlcndOr by a brutal invader.
! From that position he has never sweryed
until now. Nearly every court on the con-
| tinent has harbored him. and he has ever
| been ready 20 tell the story of his wrongs
| TO all who would listen. For years he has
/ periodically issued addresses to the Sikh
people. urging them 10 revolt, and pro-
missing to appear among them soon 30 re-
/ store the old regime. In the proclamation
/ he issued two years ago 10 the princes and
people Of India he signed himself:
Sovereign Of the Sikh nations and i'm
placable foe OF the British Government" -
Some Of his friends IN India have always
managed TO have his proclamations mys-
| teriously placarded on the billboards. OF
/ late years, however, these illusions have
/ been hardly more than objects OF derision.
! Last year he wrote letter 10 Queen VIC
| toria telling her it was high time she re-
| stored the koh-i-noor 10 its rightful owner.
! OF late years Duieep Singh has lived
mostly in Russia. lie attended the Paris
| Exposition last wear, and an English news
paper said he was looking rather seedy and
| "out of luck" As far rs IS known, he has
/ had no means Of support for many years
except the gems he has occasionally sold
| He Is now getting old. and It Is certain that
/ his old spirit Is broken, or he would never
renounce a lot or little Of his regal claims
upon the puniab for all the wealth and
! honor England could give him. For many
years he had but TO speak the word and d
| princely income would have flowed 20 hin
| from British Golfers. But he never spoke
! the word.
Duleep Singh has son who is an officer
| in the British army, has been stationed II
| Canada. and is known IN New York society