Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/138

134 Lord Ellenborough, who had questioned the policy of rewarding what ho termed Ghuláb Singh's treachery to the Lahore state. As criticisms similar to those of Lord Ellenborough have been prevalent, I think it right to quote passages from this letter at some length: —

'Ghuláb Singh was never Minister at Lahore for the administration of its affairs. Early in 1845 Jowahir Singh persuaded the army to march against Jamú. Ghuláb Singh, despairing of being able to defend himself, threw himself into the hands of the Pancháyats and was brought a prisoner to Lahore. He was there treated with great severity; and subsequently, when the army offered him the Wazírship, he repeatedly declined the offer. When the invasion took place, he remained at Jamú and took no part against us, but tendered his allegiance on condition of being confirmed in the possession of his own territories. This was neither conceded nor refused, as the paramount power did not think it becoming, while the armies were in presence of each other, to show any doubt as to the result by granting terms. I merely referred him to the terms of the Proclamation of December, when the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej. Nevertheless, it was clearly to be understood by the terms of that Proclamation that, if Ghuláb Singh took no part against us, he was entitled to consideration whenever the affairs of the Punjab came to be settled. It was evident that he had no cause of gratitude or attachment to the Lahore Darbár, by whose orders and intrigues his own family had been nearly exterminated, his