Letter No.1725 of 1869 from Colonel Robert Phayre, the Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind, Jacobabad, to Sir William Lockyer Merewether, the Commissioner in Sind [‎23v] (33/68)

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" Against this tyrannical invasion of
their Civil and Political rights, the
Chiefs naturally, and I believe justly,
claim our protection, asserting that
the Treaty of alliance and friendship
on the part of the British Government
The Treaty is clearly and distinctly is with Khodadad Khan as head of
with the Khan of Kelat as ruler of the Confederacy of Eeloochistan, not
the country, and the course followed with Meer Khodadad Khan Ahmedzye
by previous Political Superintendents as a despotic Prince ; and they urge
has been strictly in accordance with with truth that, excepting on the
that view, as being the policy intended strength of the British alliance, and
and ordered by Government. the power and status which it has
W. L. M. conferred upon him, Khodadad Khan
would never have ventured to assail
their hereditary rights, and endeavour
to subvert the constituted Government
of the Khanate, as he has deliberately
done for some years past."
"These Sarawan Chiefs have, as you
are aware, been living in exile and
actual want for more than two years,
but under the hopes held out to them
by my predecessor. Sir Henry Green,
and latterly by myself, they waited
The terms sent by the 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. last patiently till the time for respectfully
spring were very far from respectful. representing their case to the Khan
W. L. M. should arrive. The present outrage,
therefore, instigated as it undoubted-
The terms given by the Khan to ly was by the Khan's party, would
Moolla Mahomed were most liberal seem to indicate the determination
and just, and the Khan was even pre- of the latter, to prevent a reconciliation
pared to make concessions to the Jam, and refuse them justice."
his inveterate enemy and intended
supplanter in the Government, but the
Jam retired to Beyla to try and ma
ture a more successful rising for the
next cold season. In this he has been
signally defeated, and he is now a
fugitive in British territory.
W. L. M.
"I would therefore respectfully sub
mit for consideration, what course
it would now be desirable to pursue.
On the one hand, our relations with the