Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/129

Rh held the post of Minister. He brought with him not only the usual number of attendants, elephants, presents, &c., but also the little Mahárájá himself — a charming child of eight years — 'acting his part,' as the Governor-General describes him, 'without any fear and with all the good breeding peculiar to the Eastern people.' The Minister, having in the Mahárájá's presence acceded to the preliminary conditions of the British proposals, presented his tokens of allegiance, and retired to confer with Mr. Currie and Major Lawrence on the details of the Treaty. The Mahárájá remained in the Governor-General's camp, and accompanied him on his march to Lahore. On the same day a proclamation was issued promising protection, on the part of the British Government, to all persons at Lahore and elsewhere who peaceably continued in their usual employments of trade and industry.

On the 20th of February every arrangement had been made, and Mr. Currie proceeded to the Mahárájá's camp to conduct him to his palace in the citadel. He was attended by the civil and military staff, and accompanied by an escort of four cavalry regiments and artillery under Brigadier Cureton. About a mile from the camp he was met by Ghuláb Singh and the principal Sikh Sardárs. Salutes were fired, and a procession formed which made the circuit of the city until it reached the palace, where Mr. Currie took his leave. Two days afterwards the Governor-General issued a General Order, thanking the army for the important services they had rendered, and enjoining the strictest