Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/130

126 discipline during their occupation of the city. On this occasion a gratuity of twelve months' batta was announced as a reward for the services of the army of the Sutlej.

On the 8th of March the Ministers and Sardárs assembled in Major Lawrence's tent to sign the Treaty. The letter of the Mahárájá, expressing gratitude to the Governor-General, was read in their presence; but at the close of that letter a new request was added, that a British force should be left at Lahore for a limited period. It was represented, on the part of the Governor-General, that the reasons for this new proposal should be stated in writing; and on this promise being given, the Treaty was signed and the meeting broke up. The promised explanation was then sent. It stated that it was the 'earnest and sincere desire of the Darbár that British troops with intelligent officers should, for some months, as circumstances seemed to require, be left at Lahore for the protection of the Mahárájá, and his Government.' On the 9th it was announced in a General Order that the Treaty would be ratified on that day. It contained an additional clause to the effect that, at the earnest solicitation of the Mahárájá, the Governor-General had consented to occupy the town and citadel of Lahore with British troops for a limited period, in order that opportunity might be afforded to the Sikh Darbár to reorganise its army according to the stipulations of the Treaty.

The Governor-General had, no doubt, some mis-