Letter No.596 of 1870 from Colonel Sir William Lockyer Merewether, The Commissioner in Sind, Commissioner's Office, Kurrachee [Karāchi] to His Excellency the Right Honorable Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, Governor and President in Council, Bombay [‎139v] (30/34)

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knowing how much he had to learn. I spent a
month nearly with him in the Frontier Districts,
in February and March 18G0, so that all ques
tions might be freely discussed between us. It
was not till May 1869, nine months after his
arrival, that it became necessary for me to
interpose for the first time, to point out to him
that he was adopting a wrong course with re
ference to 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. , and to desire he would
enter into no further communications with
them. Had I not done so, Captain Harrison's
position at Khelat would have been made most
dangerous, and the very worst possible conse
quences must have followed. Had Colonel
Phayre been permitted to continue pressing the
cause 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. , after they had shown such
unmistakeably rebellious designs, and had re
jected the several offers of the Khan, he would
have certainly turned the Khan into a bitter
enemy of the British Government, and most
serious disorders have immediately broken out
in Beloocbistan. Beloochistan, united under one
rule, is an element of strength to us. But Be
loochistan divided into a number of factions,
all fighting against each other, as would be the
case were the Government of the Khan allowed
to be destroyed, would he an ever-menacing
danger, demanding the presence of strong bodies
of troops all along our Frontier, from Jacobabad
to the sea, a distance of 350 miles. There was
no interference until Colonel Phayre rendered!
it necessary hy the tendency he evinced to fol
low a course different to that which had been
given for his general guidance. Such inter
ference was not exerted before certainly, but
then no Political Superintendent had ever before
rendered it necessary. The passage " introduc
tion of fresh blood on this Frontier, so far
from having been attended by iU-effects to-
<c Government interests generally, has been highr
" ly beneficial to them," is, I would submit, quite
beyond the bounds of good taste and official
propriety. It reflects most unbecomingly on
Colonel Phayre's predecessors^ It is hardly in
accord with his statement that he has strictly
followed the policy of General Jacob and Sir
Henry Green.
very difficult position, owing to my appointment
having been previously held by yourself; and
your requiring, as appears from this correspond
ence, that I should either adopt your views of
everything, against my own judgment, based
on the records of my office, or incur the treat
ment I have now received at your hands. I
submit, moreover, that I have been subjected to
an interference with the executive details of
my duty as Political Superintendent which no
Commissioner in Sind has ever ^et exercised,
as may be seen from my office records passim.
It is this, I deferentially submit (not the
policy which I advocate, for that is the same as
General Jacob's and Sir Henry Green's) which
has led to the Khan's and Captain Harrison's
virtual contempt of my authority. I am fully
prepared to show by actual facts, should His
Excellency be pleased to order the investiga
tion referred to in my paras. 53 and 54, above,
that His Excellency's introduction of fresh blood
on this Frontier, so far from having been
attended by iil effects to Government interests
generally, has been highly beneficial to them,
although in the 14th para, of your letter No.
519, dated 20th ultimo, you would make the
contrary appear to be the case.
CO. I forgot, until now, to notice the view
you take of the Boogtee Chiefs son's conduct at