1 HISTORY OF THE SIKHS. 285
2 but the complete subjugation of it delayed. A task
3 yet remains of more importance than even the re-
4 duction of Scinde; and there appears to be no one
5 so well calculated for its performance as the gallant
6 officer who chastised the insolence and bad faith of
7 the Ameers and the wild tribes of Beloochistan.
8 The appointment of Sir Charles Napier to com- His character.
9 mand the Punjab would have rendered political
10 agents quite unnecessary. He would have enforced
11 his orders at the point of the sword. Such is his
12 practice in Scinde. There is thus no appeal from
13 his mandates. No doubtful controversy interferes
14 with his movements. No delay takes place in
15 carrying out his measures. He forms his own
16 opinion of the necessities of the moment; and his
17 object being to secure firm possession of territories
18 once acquired by the sword, his resolve is carried
19 into immediate execution. These are the leading
20 principles by which he has conquered and retained
21 Scinde; and had such principles directed our affairs
22 in Affghanistan, the disastrous events which blem-
23 ished the fair fame of the British arms would never
24 have occurred.
25 At Cabul, the management of affairs was en-
26 trusted to a political agent or envoy, whose energy
27 and spirit were conspicuous, not as a political leader,
28 but as an adviser in military matters! In the
29 former capacity, he allowed himself to be over-
30 reached by the wily Affghan, and he could only
31 have been extricated by the decided and prompt
32 measures of the military force, but this was in the