1 HISTORY OF THE stkHS. 283
2 forbearance of the British on any other ground than
3 the feat of Sikh resentment! Had the cities of
4 Lahore and Umritsir been given up to pillage, a
5 more lasting impression of our strength would have
6 been produced than by the act of garrisoning one
7 or both with British soldiers. The Native soldier,
8 moreover, was sadly disappointed at the forbear-
9 ance shown by the Governor-general and Com-
10 mander-in-chief. When tired and fatigued with The Native
11 the long march, the sipahee exclaimed, “Oh! sir, poimed.
12 only let us Joot (pillage) Umritsir for three days,
13 and we shall be amply repaid for all our suffer-
14 ings !”
15 The British garrison at Lahore has an ample the Lahore
16 supply of food for a considerable period. In case, cunts dis-
17 therefore, of a repetition of the insult offered by Pe ¥t™
18 the bunniahs, the political agent might dispense
19 with them, and make over the contents of their
20 shops to the government; supplying their place
21 with his own bunniahs, protected by ag British
22 force.
23 Though placing every confidence in the zeal, Political au-
24 talent, and energy of Major Lawrence and his as- doubefl oft
25 sistants, we are, nevertheless, doubtful of the pro- °°"
26 priety of entrusting the management of a nation
27 like the Sikhs to political deputies. The latter
28 signally failed at Cabul, and would have probably
29 been equally unfortunate in Scinde, had not the
30 military skill and decision of Sir Charles Napier
31 been called into action at a critical moment. We
32 do not mean to insinuate for an instant, that