that moment, as a prince restored to the friendship of the British Government.

After some remarks, regarding the fame and character of the late Maharajah, Runjeet Singh, and hope that the young prince would follow the footsteps of his father, and my desire that such relations should henceforward exist between the two States as would tend to the benefit of both, I broke up the Durbar.

On his taking leave, I caused the customary presents to be made to the Maharajah; and, on his retiring from my tent, the usual salute was fired from our 24-pounders, drawn up at the bottom of the street of tents for that purpose.

In the course of discussion, the minister asked, if the young Maharajah should now return to the Ranee, at Lahore, or if it was my desire that he should remain at my camp, intimating that it was for me to dispose of the young chief as I pleased, and as I might consider best for His Highness's interests. I replied, that I thought it advisable that His Highness's camp should accompany mine, and that I should myself conduct him to his capital, which I purposed reaching in two marches—that is, by to-morrow morning.

The remains of the Sikh army, under Sirdar Tej Singh, and Rajah Lal Singh, on retiring from Sobraon encamped at Raebam, about eighteen miles East of Lahore. They are variously estimated at from 14,000 to 20,000 horse and foot, with about thirtyfive guns. They have been positively ordered by Rajah Gholab Singh, to remain stationary; and the Mahomedan and Nujeeb battalions, in the interest of the minister, have been placed in the citadel, and at the gates of Lahore, with strict orders to permit no armed Sikh soldier to enter the town.

It was intimated to me, late last night, that the inhabitants of Lahore and Umritsur were in great alarm at the approach of our army to the capital, and were under apprehension that those cities might be sacked and plundered by our troops. I therefore caused the Proclamation, a copy of which is enclosed, to be issued to the

inhabitants of those cities, informing them of the result of my interview with the Maharajah, and assuring them of protection, in person and property, if the Durbar acted in good faith, and no further hostile opposition was offered by the army.

On our arrival at this place (Kanha Kutchwa) about sixteen miles from the city of Lahore, and twelve from the cantonments), heavy firing for the best part of an hour was heard. This proved to be a salute of seven rounds from every gun in Lahore, in honour of the result of the Maharajah's meeting with me yesterday, and in joy at the prospect of the restoration of amicable relations.

PROCLAMATION,

By the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India.

Foreign Department, Kussoor, February 14, 1846.

The Sikh army has been expelled from the left bank of the river Sutlej, having been defeated in every action, with the loss of more than 220 pieces of field artillery.

The British army has crossed the Sutlej, and entered the Punjanb.

The Governor-General announces by this Proclamation that this measure has been adopted by the Government of India, in accordance with the intentions expressed in the Proclamation of the 13th of December last, as having been forced upon the Governor-General for the purpose of "effectually protecting the "British Provinces, for vindicating the authority of the British "Government, and for punishing the violators of treaties and the "disturbers of the public peace.'

These operations will be steadily persevered in, and vigorously prosecuted, until the objects proposed to be accomplished are fully attained. The occupation of the Punjaub by the British

forces will not be relinquished until ample atonement for the insult offered to the British Government by the infraction of the treaty of 1809, A.D., and by the unprovoked invasion of the British Provinces shall have been exacted. These objects will include full indemnity for all expenses incurred during the war, - and such arrangements for the future government of the Lahore territories as will give perfect security to the British Government against similar acts of perfidy and aggression.

Military operations against the Government and army of the Lahore State have not been undertaken by the Government of India from any desire of territorial aggrandizement. The Governor-General, as already announced in the Proclamation of the 13th of December, "sincerely desired to see a strong Sikh Govern"ment re-established in the Punjaub, able to controul its army "and to protect its subjects." The sincerity of these professions is proved by the fact that no preparations for hostilities had been made when the Lahore Government suddenly, and without a pretext of complaint, invaded the British territories. The unprovoked aggression has compelled the British Government to have recourse to arms, and to organize the means of offensive warfare, and whatever may now befall the Lahore State, the consequences can alone be attributed to the misconduct of that Government and its army.

No extension of territory was desired by the Government of India; the measure necessary for providing indemnity for the past and security for the future will, however, involve the retention by the British Government of a portion of the country hitherto under the Government of the Lahore State. The extent of territory which it may be deemed advisable to hold will be determined by the conduct of the Durbar, and by considerations for the security of the British frontier. The Government of India will, under any circumstances, annex to the British Provinces the districts, hill and plain, situated between the rivers Sutlej and Beas, the revenues thereof being

appropriated as a part of the indemnity required from the Lahore State.

The Government of India has frequently declared that it did not desire to subvert the Sikh Government in the Punjaub; and although the conduct of the Durbar has been such as to justify the most severe and extreme measures of retribution (the infliction of which may yet be required by sound policy, if the recent acts of violence be not amply atoned for and immediate submission tendered), nevertheless the Governor-General is still willing that an opportunity should be given to the Durbar and to the chiefs to submit themselves to the authority of the British Government, and by a return to good faith, and the observance of prudent counsels, enable the Governor-General to organize a Sikh Government in the person of a descendant of its founder, the late Maharajah Runjeet Singh, the faithful ally, of the British power.

The Governor-General, at this moment of a most complete and decisive victory, cannot give a stronger proof of the forbearance and moderation of the British Government than by making this declaration of his intentions, the terms and mode of the arrangement remaining for further adjustment.

The Governor-General, therefore, calls upon all those chiefs who are the well-wishers of the descendants of Runjeet Singh, and especially such chiefs as have not participated in the hostile proceedings against the British power, to act in concert with him for carrying into effect such arrangements as shall maintain a Sikh Government at Lahore, capable of controlling its army and protecting its subjects, and based upon principles that shall provide for the future tranquillity of the Sikh states, shall secure the British frontier against a repetition of acts of aggression, and shall prove to the whole world the moderation and justice of the paramount power of India.

If this opportunity of rescuing the Sikh nation from military anarchy and misrule be neglected, and hostile opposition to the British army be renewed, the Government of India will make

such other arrangements for the future government of the Punjaub as the interests and security of the British power may render just and expedient.

By order, &c.

(True copy)

W. EDWARDS,

(Signed) F. CURRIE,

Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor-General.

Under Secretary to the Government of India,

with Governor-General.

General Order by the Right Honourable the Governor-General

of India.

Camp, Kussoor, February 14, 1846. The Governor-General, having received from his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief the despatch annexed to this paper, announces to the army and the people of India, for the fourth time during this campaign, a most important and memorable victory obtained by the army of the Sutlej over the Sikh forces at Sobraon, on the 10th instant.

On that day the enemy's strongly entrenched camp, defended by 35,000 men, and sixty-seven pieces of artillery, exclusive of heavy guns, on the opposite bank of the river, was stormed by the British army, under the immediate command of his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., G.C.B., and in two hours the Sikh forces were driven into the river with immense loss, sixtyseven guns being captured by the victors.

The Governor-General most cordially congratulates the Commander-in-Chief and the British army on this exploit, one of the most daring ever achieved, by which, in open day, a triple line of breast-works, flanked by formidable redoubts, bristling with artillery, manned by thirty-two regular regiments of infantry, was assaulted and carried by forces under his Excellency's command.