Letter from William Lockyer Merewether, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to Colonel Robert Phayre

Content

Demi-official letter regarding the Colonel's response, dated 1 September 1870, to Merewether's letter of 28 August and again expressing his despair at the Colonel's inability to view his position 'in the proper light'.

The letter goes on to remind Colonel Phayre that as his superior all communication and policy from him was to be observed and adhered to, and to state that neither he (Merewether), General John Jacob or Sir Henry Green ever persisted in adhering to their own views after having been informed to be wrong.

The letter goes on to state that he had fully concurred with Colonel Phayre endeavouring to settle Moolla Mahomed [Mullah Mohammed]'s differences with the Khan of Khelat, but that Moollah Mahomed's decision to reject the clemency offered by the Khan meant that there was nothing more British officer's could do for him, and that the Colonel should have from them onwards refused to meet or correspond with him, and should not have persisted with the idea that Moolla Mahomed and other Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. had been unfairly treated by the Khan.

The letter also discusses opinions expressed in reports and official correspondence by Colonel Phayre that the Khan had continuosly behaved wrongly, that his arrangements for governing his country were wrong and that the British Government ought to withdraw their support; opinions which were in direct contravention to Government's orders.

The letter continues by discussing what Merewether views as having become an open attack on the Khan of Khelat and the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at his court and that his actions in this matter are considred as active interference with the Khan, particularly in having accused the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. of partizanship and forbidding him to comment favourably on what was occuring in Khelat.

The letter concludes with Merewether explaining further what he had meant by his references to Colonel Phayre having failed to take advantage of using the knowledge of Khelat accumulated by George William Macauley; and the reasoning behind his terminology in relation to Captain Robert Sandeman.

Extent and format

1 folio

It is part of

Printed copies of correspondence relating to relations between the British Government and Khelat [Kalāt] state

312 images

Ref: Mss Eur F126/22

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

Mss Eur F126/22, f 143

History of this record

Date(s)

7 Sep 1870 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter from William Lockyer Merewether, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to Colonel Robert Phayre, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/22, f 143, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024102474.0x00001c> [accessed 14 July 2026]

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