Letter No.519 of 1870 from William Lockyer Merewether, Colonel, The Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to Colonel Robert Phayre, The Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind [‎101r] (3/8)

10, Now, however, that in addition to enunciating wrong views, and principles of
action, you have further ventured to act upon them, treating 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 Kkelat
unjustly, and censuring him, when he was carefully, and studiously, carrying out the orders
I had issued, I must interpose, and desire that you will abstain from acting on the opini
ons you have chosen to form, and simply follow both in your own conduct, and in corres
pondence with 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 Khelat the instructions quoted above. These you are
well aware were approved of by the Government of India, in Mr. Seton Karr's letter
No. 951, of the 13th July 1869, and should not have been deviated from in the slightest
degree, either in thought, or deed. I refer you to that letter, as also showing that Cap
tain Harrison is directed "to mark carefully all he hears and sees, and he should regularly
" report noticeable events to Government." 1 do this particularly here, because I notice in
iccent correspondence, you take exception to Captain Harrison reporting matter that ho
heard, and what I regret most to observe, you question the accuracy of that officer's state
ments. I his is a course most unbecoming in official correspondence's most uncourteous
to say the least of it, and merits most marked disapproval.
11. In the 3rd para, of your letter under reply, you complain of His Highness the
Khan having passed on you "a gratuitous slight, if not insult," by ignoring you in having
sent a letter direct to me. It is not unusual however that communications should be
forwarded in the manner this one was despatched. The Khan gives it, or causes it to be
delivered to 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. , who forwards it to the Political Superintendent on the
t rentier. I observe that Captain Harrison's forwarding letter is addressed to you, and
the fact of its being inside the cover directed to me, may naturally be concluded to be
accidental. The enclosures were open, and all, you say, were placed under a cover directed
to you. I do not see therefore any necessity for considering any slight was intended,
or that an " unhealthy tone" at Khelat should be suspected to exist. Neither does there
appear just reason for supposing Captain Harrison ever thought for a moment of placing
you in an awkward dilemma with the Khan. Long acquaintance with that officer, and a
high estimation of his upright, straight-forward character, leads me at once to acquit him
of any such intention.
13. With regard to Captain Sandeman corresponding with 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. at Seebec,
I consider it not merely " imprudent and quite unnecessary," but most improper and
highly disrespectful to myself. In January last, on hearing from him that the Murree
Chiefs had offered to bring 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. Moolla Mahomed to him, I telegraphed to him that
you had been directed not to receive that 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. , and therefore he. Captain Sandeman, must-
hold no communication with him. At the same time I wrote demi-officially, more fullv
explaming how badly, and ungratefully 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. had behaved to the Khan at Khelat in
May 18G9, and that until the Khan pardoned his faults, and restored him to favor, no
further interposition in his behalf could be undertaken by any British authority, and no
inteicourse could be allowed with him. Captain Sandeman therefore in sending messen
gers to Seebee, was acting in direct opposition to my wishes and instructions. A separate
representation is being made to Government on this subject, for such notice as his Excel-
lency in Council may deem the matter to deserve.
lo. I do not consider that the extract from His Highness letter, quoted in your
8th para :, should have the interpretation you give it, or that it is correct on your part to
iniph that Captain Harrison was in any way concerned in inducing the Khan to write
improperly of any British Official,—nothing of the sort having occurred. The
u>tJ plural of the word Officer" conveys nothing, while His Highness is
> uitainl} iully justified in complaining of correspondence being carried on with Chiefs, wLo