Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/115

106 blunders and incompetence of the British, displayed during the Afghán war. Lord Hardinge had been fully sensible of it, and had estimated their power, the danger of the temptation, and the unfortunate position in which they had been placed by the death of Ranjít Singh, the absence of any suitable successors to him, the relaxation of all discipline and control, and the pitiful figure that mismanagement had caused the British power to assume in their eyes. That it was no longer possible to support the Sikh Government was one matter; that the Sikh chiefs and the Sikh army and people deserved condign punishment was quite another. Lord Dalhousie's demeanour and language did not seem to show that he recognized the difference at this epoch; though his eventual action indicated a more friendly tone to the people.

On landing at Bombay, in December, 1848, Sir Henry proceeded at once to the Punjab, and halting at Múltán for two or three days, left for Lahore on January 8. Lord Dalhousie had heard — it is not known from whom — that Sir Henry — so much given to theatrical exhibitions! — had contemplated some 'pretty stage effect' of his own at Múltán, including a personal surrender of Mulráj to himself; and, in consequence, he wrote to him thus: —

'There are strong rumours current that if you should arrive anywhere near Múltán before the operations against that fortress are renewed and completed, the Diwán Mulráj means to surrender himself to you. I have no doubt whatever that you would not receive him, or act in any public