تمرد محمد يعقوب خان [و‎‎١‎٧‎٠] (١٧٤/٢٩)

OCT.— )
DEC. 1S68. J
ASSISTANCE TO AMEER SHERE ALT.
71
The British Agent had been instructed, at the time he delivered the
Viceroy’s letter of the 2nd October, to convey to the Ameer the Viceroy’s
willingness to meet him if practicable.
351. The Ameer, on learning this (19th October), was most anxious to "o
at once, and some of his counsellors advised him to do so; but the majority
advised him to wait till the road from Toorkistan was closed by snow, and till
affairs had become more settled. And on the 1st November he communicated
to the British Agent personally his own opinion, contrary to that of his ad
visers who wanted him to act at once, that he had better defer his request
for assistance in arms and money till the time of his interview with the Viceroy;
and this he said he could not accomplish while he had an expedition against
his rivals on his hands ; after the settlement of that business he would go to
any part of India where the Viceroy might he at the time.
355. The British Government's offer of assistance in arms and money to
the newly-restored Ameer, and the interview with the Viceroy at TJmballa.
f
* Diary for half-week ending 8th October 1868.
After a consultation with his
* Diary for half-week ending 12th October 1868.
As soon as news of Azim’s discomfiture arrived, the Viceroy (10th Septem
ber) telegraphed to the Secretary of State, saying that, as Shore Ali would un
doubtedly be in great straits for arms and money, now would be the' time to
help him with effect; and that it would, therefore, be expedient to let him un
derstand that, if he applied, he would receive assistance of that kind, say six
lakhs of Eupees and 3,000 common muskets.
The Secretary of State by telegram of 17th gave authority to the Viceroy
to act on his own judgment in assisting Shere Ali in the manner proposed.
And the Lieutenant-Governor was at once instructed to make the necessary
communication to the British Agent at Cabul.
356. The Agent found an opportunity at a personal interview with the
Ameer on the 7th October of hinting at the willingness of the British Govern
ment to assist him.
* “ The Ameer at once perceived the allusion, considered for a while, and repeatedly-
asserted his desire for an increased friendship and
unity between the two great Governments.^
advisers, Shere Ali summoned the British
Agent, and asked him how he was to
broach the subject to the British Govern
ment. The Agent recommended him to write a letter. The Ameer hesitated.*
“ For,” said he, I have twice on former occasions sought assistance of the British Govern
ment, and on both occasions my requests were not approved. I fear lest on this occasion also
my application be rejected, and a new source of distrust be created.
“At present (the Agent wrote) they are considering whether it is advisable to await the
receipt of replies to the letters forwarded from this, or to write before their arrival. As yet
they have not come to a decision on the matter.”
357. With the diary ending 15th October the British Agent sent a letter
saying that the Ameer had determined to defer addressing Government on the
subject of his wants, till he received a reply to his letter to the Viceroy and
Lieutenant-Governor mentioned above, paragraph 349.
358. At an interview on the 1st November the British Agent was told
that the Ameer’s advisers wanted him to make known at once to the British
Government his desire to receive assistance in arms and money; but that he
preferred to postpone doing so till he could meet the Viceroy in person.
359. It has already been mentioned that at an interview on the 23rd Nov
ember, the British Agent gathered from the Ameer’s conversation that assist
ance in money would be very acceptable as' strengthening his cause and securing
the safety of the country. This the Viceroy had already perceived from the
tenor of the diaries, and had instructed the Lieutenant-Governor to send him
two lakhs of rupees.
360. On the 24th Shalan 1285 (about 15th December), the Ameer wrote
to the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, savins that the menacing
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