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80 Auckland's agent. The Amírs of Sind had learned through the Governor-General's agent, Colonel Pottinger, the friendly offices of the British Government in respect of Ranjít Singh's designs. They had been told that the return which 'his lordship looks for from the Amírs for any assistance which we may render them, is that they should come fully and heartily into our plans for re-establishing the trade on the Indus.'

When in the early months of 1836 the Sirdár Dost Muhammad Khán, renewing the overtures which he had made to Lord William Bentinck, had addressed himself to Lord Auckland, on his arrival in India, he had been told that the British Government would not interfere with the affairs of independent States. In June, 1836, Mr. Ellis, the British Ambassador at Teherán, was informed by the Political Secretary, that the Government of India would at the present moment form no military alliances with any of the countries which lie between India and Persia. In regard to them, as with all neighbouring States, Lord Auckland's wish was for peace and friendly relations. But he would see with regret and displeasure any violent or unprovoked aggression made upon their territories. At that time little was known as to the actual state of the threatened attack on Herát. The Government in Calcutta was extremely ill informed of the strength and position of parties in Afghánistán. The first point which must be arranged for was to supply this embarrassing