Page:Viscount Hardinge and the Advance of the British Dominions into the Punjab.djvu/147

Rh as it was by the sincere congratulations of all his old friends. Let me record what Sir Robert Peel wrote on the subject: —

'Whitehall Gardens, April, 1846.

'My Dear Hardinge,

'I know not what I can add to the simple admiration of your conduct, military and civil, throughout the whole and every insulated part of your proceedings and policy on the banks of the Sutlej. The original forbearance, the promptitude and skill with which a scandalous and unprovoked aggression was repelled, the full reparation demanded, the dignity and calm fortitude with which it was insisted upon, the wisdom of the conditions imposed with reference not merely to our character for moderation in victory, but to the permanent interests of the Indian Empire, are themes on which volumes might be written. These volumes, however, could add nothing to the assurance of the most cordial approbation of every act that has been done and every line that has been written.'

A few days later Sir Robert Peel wrote again: —

'There is here universal approval and admiration of your policy from first to last; above all things, your moderation after victory is most applauded. It is thought, and justly thought, that it adds a lustre to the skill and valour displayed in the military achievements. It is ten times more gratifying to the public mind than the annexation of the whole of the Punjab would have been.

'This is the common sentiment, the instinctive