1 334 . OFFER OF GENERAL VENTURA.
2 was reported that Dost Mahomed Khan in-
3 tended to detach a part of his force, under the
4 command of one of his sons, towards Canda-
5 har. As it had been stipulated that, in case
6 such a movement should be made, the Sikhs
7 were to support the Shah Zada, and to lay siege
8 forthwith to the fort of Ali Masjid, the Kour
9 was asked to hold his force in readiness for
10 such an event. General Ventura, being also
11 consulted, readily offered his services, and said
12 that, agreeably to his master’s order, his own
13 corps ‘was the first to be employed, but that
14 the views of the darbar and the Sirdars were
15 not strictly the same as his own. He was
16 assured that by the agreement made with the
17 Maharaja, the Sikhs were undoubtedly bound
18 to aid us when we advanced beyond their
19 frontier, and to act in cordial concert with the
20 Shah Zada in the capture of Ali Masjid. The
21 General replied that he would look at the
22 treaty, and prepare his own corps, if author-
23 ized, to proceed with the Prince. Much dis-
24 cussion then took place with Kour Nihal Singh,
25 as to the extent of assistance to be given by