![Letter No.523 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karachi] to His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, G.C.S.I., Governor and President in Council, Bombay [‎95r] (15/18)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000001524.0x0003a1/Mss Eur F126_22_0187.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "Letter No.523 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karachi] to His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, G.C.S.I., Governor and President in Council, Bombay [‎95r] (15/18)")
Letter No.523 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karachi] to His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, G.C.S.I., Governor and President in Council, Bombay [95r] (15/18)
The record is made up of 9 folios. It was created in 25 Aug 1870. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
3 Captain Sandeman is a very intelligent, and energetic Officer, and lie has de
servedly gained high credit for his zeal, but he has forgotten that zeal should be
guided by discretion; and in this instance, Carried away by the plans in which he was
immediately most interested, he has acted in a manner that is not only most unjusti
fiable, but very disrespectful to myself, in that he had pursued a Course diametrically
opposed to ihe one I had laid down, as the only one that should be followed, and which
being strictly binding on the Officers on the Sind Frontier, should be respected by the
neighbouring ones in the Punjaub,
4. Captain Sandeman is an Officer of the Punjaub Government, and not under
my orders, but since I had the opportunity of seeing him last November, when he was
passing through Sind, I have freely, and fully communicated my views to him, as to
the management of affairs on the Frontier of Sind, and especially in connection with
that portion of the Punjaub Frontier placed under his charge, so that there might be
harmonious action by all. He was not therefore ignorant ot my wishes or of the-
policy that was to be observed from the Sind border. His deliberate action in opposi^
tion to both is therefore the more marked, and unbecoming'.
5, The " belief" expressed at the latter part of the 1st para: of Captain Sande-
man's letter, that " the Khan of Khelat himself was fully aware of all I was doing, and
" was secretly glad at it," is simply belief, wholly unsupported by a' particle of evidence
to warrant it, and therefore should not have been put forward. It is not even proba
ble, that His Highness the Khan would \Vish, that an Officer about whom he knows
nothing whatever, and who was serving in a distant part of the country from Khelat,
should engage in matters so nearly affecting his, the Khan's, interests, especially as he
was aware that the British Officers on the Sind border were restrained from interfering,
and such arrangement not only was the most suitable for him, the Khan, but met with
his entire concurrence.
G. Captain Sandeman's knowledge of border history as displayed in the 2nd para :
is very limited, indeed appears confined strictly to the period since he came himself to the
border. Sir Charles Napier had little or nothing to say to the Murrees, excepting during
his hill campaign, when communications were held with them through Captain (after
wards General) Jacob. From the time, however, when General Jacob returned to the
Frontier in 1847, intercourse with the Mui'rees was at once re-opened, and though
broken at intervals by their misconduct, never ceased as supposed by Captain Sandeman.
The Murrees, by the excellent information they gave in 184-7, were greatly instrumental in
bringing about the severe punishment inflicted on the Boogtees in October of that year.
7. Gamin, the Murree Chief, until he died, visited Jacobabad when he wished, as
also others. But though there was no absence of conciliatory measures, still the distance
of the tribe from Sind, and, I believe myself, difficulties put in the way by the inter
mediate lying Boogtees,, who were jealous of the other tribe, prevented their coming to
Jacobabad so often as they might have done. The anecdote related about the imprison
ment of the Murree Chief is doubtless quite correct, excepting that part where it is stated
they were imprisoned, because they were, Murrces. This is a mistake. There was, and I
conclude is still, a standing order on the Frontier, that all armed men crossing it without
a pass, or some previous communication from the Chief of the tribe to which th ey be
longed, were to be seized and sent into Jacobabad. This is a very necessary order, consi
dering the wild rices on both sides of the border. It is well known in the hills and
appreciated too.
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Letter enclosing correspondence relating to Captain Robert Sandeman and his actions in communicating with Khelat [Kalāt] 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. in direct violation of Government instructions.
The letter itself contains Merewether's comments on Captain Sandeman's letter of 10 August including the acknowledgement by Captain Sandeman himself that he had disobeyed Merewether's orders and his attempts to justify his actions, and including a copy of the telegram from Merewether instructing the Captain not to communicate with Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moolah Mahomed Raisanee [ Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mullah Mohammed Raisani]. The letter goes on to discuss Merewether's opinions of the Captain; his frequent communication with him on border matters; statements made by the Captain, particularly in relation to the Khan of Khelat, for which there is no evidence or justification; the Captains apparent lack of historical knowledge of the border regions; Captain Sandeman's statements and justifications for his actions and his 'mistaken view of his position including that of having a formal connection to Khelat whereas he should be passing any Khelat affairs through Sind; a proposal made by the Captain in relation to trade routes from Kandahar; and Captain Sandeman's actions in affecting the political relations between the British Government and the Khan of Khelat.
Enclosed with the letter are the following correspondence:
- Memorandum No.1115 of 1870 from Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Upper Sind Frontier, Jacobabad 25 Jul 1870 enclosing letter No.36 of 1870 from Captain Harrison and letter No. 1100 of 1870 from himself to Captain Sandeman to Sir William Lockyer Merewether, Commissioner in Sind
- Letter No.36 of 1870 from Charles Henry Harrison, 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. , Khelat, to Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind, 7 July 1870 reporting on a visit by Kadur Deenah (brother of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ala Deenah Koord) and his son Yar Mahomed in which they alluded to a subject that he had noted in his diary on the 29 June and giving Colonel Phayre their statements that they had received a letter from Captain Sandeman asking what arrangements Captain Harrison had made for the benefit of 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. in Beloochistan [Baluchistan] and informing him that Captain Harrison had been directed to bring the Khan to the plains to meet with Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moolah Mahomed and the principal people of his tribe and that he (Captain Sandeman) would provide security for the good conduct of Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moolah Mahomed and the British Government would ensure the Khan treated the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. properly. Captain Harrison goes on to ask whether the information contained in the statement is true, and asking that Captain Sandeman be offered the opportunity to contradict them as he (Captain Harrison) would need to undertake work to counteract the evils of such rumours. Captain Harrison also reports that the Khan believes the reports to be some kind of underhand intrigue on the part of one of his enemies and has sent messengers to ascertain where the reports eminated.
- Letter No. 1100 of 1870 from Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind to Captain Robert Sandeman, The Deputy Commissioner, Dehra Ghazee Khan [Dera Ghāzi Khān], 20 July 1870 informing him that he had received the diary of Captain Harrison, 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 Khelat which contained a remark about an English officer having been corresponding with the family of Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moollah Mahomed Raisanee in regard to matters connected with restoring the family to their social position in Khelat state and that a similar report had been brought to him by His Highness the Khan's Vakeel at Jacobabad. Colonel Phayre note's that he had initially assumed it to be a fabricated story until he both received Captain Harrison's letter (No.36 of 1870) and received a visit from the Vakeel bringing with him two letters, one of which was addressed to Captain Sandeman from Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moollah Mahomed and discussed his application for release and expressing his regret that Captain Sandeman had addressed correspondence either to the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. or his sons (as was alleged) and requesting an explanation of his actions, as well as an explanation for why the letters had been instructed to come to Jacobabad and not to the Captain himself.
- Memorandum No.461 of 1871 from William Lockyer Merewether, 1 August 1870 stating that a further report from the Political Superintendent is awaited and enclosing a copy of a telegram sent to Captain Sandeman in which he was told not to hold any communication with Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moollah Mahomed Raisanee (telegram no longer enclosed).
- Letter No. 1158 of 1870 from Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind, Jacobabad to William Lockyer Merewether, The Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee [Karachi], 16 August 1870 referring to letters No.52 of 1870 and No.519 of 1870 and mentioning his official criticism of Captain Harrison's report No.29 of 1870 which he feels was appropriate and warranted by facts.
- Letter No.52 of 1870 from Charles Henry Harrison, 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. , Khelat to Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Upper Sind Frontier, 5 August 1870 regarding Colonel Phayre's comments of his report No.29 of 1870 and stating that His Highness had informed him of the taking of Beyla [Bela] and the inauguration of a new Government and reporting that he had received correspondence from the Commissioner in Sind in which the new Government had been recognised; that Shagassee Wullee Mahomed had reported both to Harrison and to the Commissioner in Sind that all possible property from Beyla had been recovered and that there had been no subsequent complaints made in regard to missing property; and stating that other information stated in his letter had been taken from correspondence with Major Ross and others and that had there been any error the Commissioner would have corrected it. The letter goes on to speak to other comments made in relation to his influence with the Khan and suppositions made based on Government policy before requesting that this correspondence be included with the forwarding of his report as the Colonel had made allegations against his character as both an official and a gentleman.
- Letter No.519 of 1870 from Captain Robert Sandeman, Deputy Commissioner, Dhera Ghazee Khan to Colonel Robert Phayre, Political Superintendent, Upper Sind Frontier, 10 August 1870 giving a review of the political position of affairs on the border at the time Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moolah Mahomed took refuge with the Murree clan and explaining the circumstances which led to his correspondence and claiming that the Khan of Khelat was both aware of, and secretly glad at his actions. The letter contains statements in regards to the history of the British Government's relations with the Murree clan and allegations of arrests and policy against them (both of which are refuted in the letter from Sir William Merewether with which the correspondence is all enclosed); his correspondence with Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Moollah Mahomed and his intentions being simply to avoid causing the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. to take any actions as well as his relations with the Murree clan; his official connections to Khelat; trade routes from Kandahar and his belief in the correctness of his conduct.
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Letter No.523 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karachi] to His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, G.C.S.I., Governor and President in Council, Bombay [95r] (15/18), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/22, ff 88-96, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024195159.0x0000bc> [accessed 11 July 2026]
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- Mss Eur F126/22, ff 88-96
- Title
- Letter No.523 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karachi] to His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, G.C.S.I., Governor and President in Council, Bombay
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- 88r:96v
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- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
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