"الكتاب ١٥٢ ١٨٤٦" رسائل واردة [ظ‎‎١‎٢] (١٢٨/٢٦)

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It could not but be felt, that while the late occurrences at Gwalior were an offence to the British Go*
vernment, they at the same time created new insecurity to its subjects residing on the frontier.
The want of cordial co-operation on the part of the officers of the Gwalior State in the maintenance of
order upon the frontier, had long been a subject of just remonstrance, and various orders had been issued
by the late Maharaja in accordance with the representations of tl)e British Resident. These orders had but
too often remained without due execution; but, in consideration of the long illness of His Highness, and of the
consequent weakness ot his administration, the British Government had not pressed for satisfaction with
all the rigor which the importance of the subject would have warranted. It knew the good disposition of
the late Maharajah, and was willing to attribute his failure to effect what was right, to the want of Power
l ather than of Will.
But the recent occurrances at Gwalior, and the changed spirit in which the administration has been con
ducted, no longer permit the continuance of this forbearance. The British Government must now peremp
torily insist upon the adoption of permanent measures for the establishment of "order upon the frontier, and
for the future security ofjts subjects.
The British Government has so long deferred intervention in the distracted affairs of the Gwalior State,
in the sincere hope that the Chiefs themselves would establish, in supercession of the disgraceful rule to
which they have recently submitted, an administration willing and able to satisfy its reasonable demands
and to maintain the accustomed friendly relations between the two States.
The British Government can neither permit the existence of an unfriendlv Government within the ter
ritories of Scindiah, nor that those territories should be without a Government capable of coercino- it, own
subjects, and of maintaining every where the relations of good neighbourhood with the subjects of the Bri
tish Government and its Allies.
The deplorable events which have last occurred, at Gwalior, the hostile conflicts in the Camp before the
palace of the Maharaja, and the practical suspension of all Government in His Highness' territories now
impose upon the British Government the duty of intervention, not solely for the security of British' inte
rests, but for the execution, according to its true spirit and intentions, of the solemn engagement of a Treaty.
By the Treaty of Boorhanpoor contracted with the Maharaja Dowlut Rao Scindiah, the British Go
vernment engaged to maintain a force to be at all times ready on the requisition of the Maharaja, to protect
the person of the Maharaja, his heirs and successors, to overawe and chastise rebels or exciters of disturbance
in His Highness territories, and to reduce to obedience all offenders against his Highness' authority.
to rrcl e h r Govern merit s st '"f" 0 " "v'® 'T™', Mal ' ara J a ^nder it impossible for him to address
; i M • " in eut such formal lequisitions for aid as circumstances would iustifv him in demand
sistenl'titrihe Cd f.dh' 1 ''"' - ,lie l' r ; | ,visio " s | oftl 'e Treaty of Boorhanpoor; hut it would he incon-
sis lent with the oocJ faith and injurious to the good name ot the British Government were it to nermif
Ihis inability to demand aid, which only gives the Maharaja new claims upon its protection to deprile His
Highness of that friendly support in its utmost need which it was the intention of MaSia DoIlTB o
Scmdhia to secure for ever by that Treaty, to himself, his heirs, and successors ,,0wlut Kao
The Governor General will therefore direct the immediate advance offerees amply sufficient to efferf
all the just purposes of the British Government—to obtain guarantees for the future security of its own
subjects on the common frontier of the two States, to protect the person of the Maharaja, to quell distur
bances within His Highness territories, and to chastise all who shall remain in disobedience.
By order of the Right Hon'ble the Governor General of India,
F. CURRIE,
Secy, to the Govt, of India,
with the Governor General.
Camp Hinr/onah, the ttth December, 1843.
The British army has entered the Territory of Scindiah, not as an Enemy, but as a Friend to the
Maharajah, bound by reaty to protect His Highness' person, and to maintain his Sovereign authority
against all who are disobedient and disturbers of the Peace.
The Governor General has no object but that of seeing re-established in the Territories of Scindiah a
strong Government, willing and able to preserve the accustomed relations of Friendship with the British
Government and its Allies, a Government which may at all times do justice to the army as well as to the
people, but command both for the good of all.
r The Governor General cautions the evil advisers of the Maha Ranee, that they will themselves be held
responsible for any resistance which may be offered to the measures deemed to be necessary for the esta
blishment of the Maharajah's just authority, and for the security of his person and rights. •
Hy order of the Right Hon'ble the Governor General of India,
F. CURRIE,
Secy, to the Govt, of htdia,
with the Governor General.