1 A. D. 1831. PREPARATIONS. 161
2 In order to give tbe requisite eclat to the occasion, and
3 to form a suitable escort, the Governor General ordered
4 up to Roopnr from Meerut and Kurnal, two squadrons
5 of European lancers, with the mounted band of the regi-
6 ment, (H. M, 16th Lancers,) an European Regiment
7 (H. M. 31st Foot) two battalions of Native Infantry
8 (the 14th and 32d,) and eight guns of horse artillery,
9 also two squadrons of Colonel Skinner's Irregular
10 Horse. The escort was thus composed, in order to
11 exhibit to Rlnjeet Singh, whose curiosity was much
12 excited as to the formation and equipment of the various
13 arms and corps of our military force, as much variety as
14 possible. In marching the Europeans through the Sikh
15 territory, the population was somewhat scandalized at as-
16 certaining, that beef was killed in camp for their rations.
17 The slaughter was made in the night, as secretly as pos-
18 sible, still the fact transpired, and became matter of com-
19 plaint from the Sikh Sirdars. The reply to them was,
20 that it was no business of theirs to enquire what was
21 done within the precincts of a British camp, that our
22 customs prevailed there, and these could not be yielded
23 to their scruples, though every care should be taken to
24 prevent the obtrusion of any thing that was ofTensive.
25 There is no doubt that the prejudices of the Sikhs were
26 much outraged by the slaughter of oxen, but it would
27 have been extremely bad policy to yield the point in this
28 instance; for were it conceded, and the necessity to arise
29 hereafter of bringing a considerable force of Europeans
30 into the country, similar concession woqjd be expected
31 when it would be impossible to grant it, and the popula-
32 tion would be excited, from the want of previous know-
33 ledge and preparation for the thing, as a necessary evil
34 attendant on the march of Europeans, no less than by the
35 w