1 170 REFLECTIONS. A. D. 1821-32.
2 its own boats, vessels, and merchandize, being the
3 usual objects of stipulation and solicitude. Its'agent was
4 on the spot to conduct the trade, and to see that the
5 conditions were not violated, and on this very footing,
6 the Company had formerly a commercial treaty with
7 Sindh, which soon after the establishment of the Talpoor
8 Meers, was put an end to by the rude expulsion of the
9 British Agent. The revival of negociation for a mere
10 commercial treaty, with silence in respect to any Political
11 object, appears calculated to produce an impression,
12 that the Government still has a mercantile profit exclu-
13 sively in view ; and such an understanding will neither
14 elevate its character, nor add to its weight and influence,
15 in guiding the counsels of the different chiefs with whom
16 relations of the kind may be established. But, after all,
17 the great objection to such a connexion seems to be, that
18 it offers no impediment to the courts with which we enter
19 into such relations, opening or continuing intrigues and
20 direct negociations with the very states against which
21 it may be desired to make preparation. At the very time
22 of entering upon the negociation with Sindh, it was
23 known, that an agent from Persia was at Hydurabad,
24 offering a daughter of the king in marriage to the favorite
25 son of Meer Moorad Ulee. If however the state of
26 Sindh were allowed to connect itself in close relation
27 with Persia, the commercial treaty we might conclude,
28 would be no bar to the Russians insinuating themselves
29 where the Persian court had paved the way for their
30 influence. They might thus turn the resources of Sindh
31 against us, or at least neutralize, or obstruct any advan-
32 tage we might hope to derive from tliem, in the defence
33 of the western frontier of India. If ever Hindoostan is
34 invaded from the west, the battle must clearly be fought