1 232 SINDE.
2 the British residency, and their servants. On the following day
3 the residency was attacked, and its inmates were obliged to seek
4 safety: elsewhere.* Sir Charles Napier immediately advanced,
5 to effectthat object beyond the Indus; and further, because, even on the left
6 bank of the Indus, it would be difficult for us to detect all the practical infrac-
7 tions of such a provision, and to enforce the observance of it.
8 #19. You may, however, bear in mind, that my ultimate object is the
9 entire freedom of internal trade throughout the whole territory between
10 Hindoo Koosh, the Indus, and the sea, and that I only await the favourable
11 occasion for effecting this purpose, and for introducing uniformity of currency
12 within the same limits. :
13 ‘€20. To these great benefits, to be enjoyed equally by 140 millions of
14 people, I desire ultimately to add the abolition of all tributes payable by one
15 State to snother, and the substitution for such tributes of cessions of terri-
16 tory, 80 made, by means of mutual exchanges, as to bring together into
17 masses the dominions of the several sovereigns and chiefs. These various
18 measures, which would impart to the people of India the most considerable of
19 the advantages derived from union under the same empire, it may require
20 much time to effect; but it is desirable that they should always be held in
21 view as the ultimate object of our policy, not inconsistent with the real inde-
22 pendence of any State, and conducive to the happiness of the subjects of all.’’
23 * The following is the account of this transaction given by the resident,
24 Major Outram, to Sir Charles Napier :—
25 ‘My despatches of the last few days will bave led you to expect that my
26 earnest endeavours to effect an amicable arrangement with the Ameers of
27 Sinde would fail; and it is with much regret I have now to report that their
28 highnesses have commenced hostilities by attacking my residence this morn-
29 ing, which, after four hours’ most gallant defence by my honorary escort, the
30 light company of her Majesty’s 22nd regiment, commanded by Captain
31 Conway, J] was compelled to evacuate, in consequence of our ammunition
32 running short. ;
33 -“ At 9 a.m. this morning, a dense body of cavalry and infantry took post
34 on three sides of the agency compound (the fourth being defended by the
35 Planet steamer, about 500.vards distant), in the gardens and houses which
36 immediately command the inclosure, and which it was impossible to hold
37 with our limited numbers, A hot fire was opened by the enemy, and con~
38 tinued incessantly for four hours ; but all their attempts to enter the agency
39 inclosure, although merely surrounded by a wall varying from four to five feet
40 high, were frustrated by Captain Conway’s able distribution of his small band.
41 and the admirable conduct of every individual soldier composing it, under the
42 gallant example of their commanding officer and his subalterns, Lieutenant
43 Harding and Ensign Pennefather, her Majesty’s 22nd regiment, also Captains
44 Green, of the 21st regiment of Native Infantry, and Wells, of the 15th regi-
45 ment, who volunteered their services, to cach of whom was assigned ‘the
46 charge of a separate quarter ; also to your aide-de-eamp Captain Brown, Ben-
47 gal Engineers, who carried my orders to the steamer, and assisted in work-