1 A. D. 1831. SINDH AFFAIRS. 1C7
2 opposite directions, after a week of magnificence and
3 mutual display, reminding one of the days of " tUe field
4 of cloth of Gold."
5 No business of importance was transacted at this in-
6 terview: RuNJEET Singh, however, invited the two
7 officers he thought most in the Governor General's con-
8 fidence to his lent, and in the midst of much desultory
9 conversation, put to the official secretary, who was one
10 of them, several questions in respect to Sindh, as if
11 desirous to open a negociation, and concert measures, io
12 relation to that state ; or at least to come to an understand-
13 ing, as to the views of the British Government in respect
14 to it. He said the vukeels of Sindh were in attendance
15 in his camp, and he asked if he might introduce them to
16 the Governor General. Upon being answered in the
17 affirmative, he added, that it was a very rich country,
18 and much treasure had been accumulated there, ever
19 since Nadir Shah's invasion of Hindoostan, that there
20 was no standing army, and no soldiers, except the popu-
21 lation at large, who would be called from the plough to
22 take the field against an invading force. He then made al-
23 lusion to the Meers having sent back Lieutenant Bu rnes,
24 and to their general character for pride and haughtiness.
25 It appeared evident that the Muha- Raja had learned, or
26 at least suspected, that the British Government had some
27 further views in respect to Sindh; also, that nothing
28 would be more gratifying to him, than to be invited to
29 co-operate in an attack upon that state. Notwithstand-
30 ing however the desire thus shown, to come to an under-
31 standing on the subject, it was not thought advisable to
32 make any communication yet to the ruler of Labor; for
33 it was conceived, that, if made aware of the intentions of