1 A. D. 1809. OBLIGATIONS UNDER IT. 73
2 the general interests of the state, whenever the same
3 might be marched into, or stationed in, their respective
4 territories.
5 Fifth. In case of invasion or war, the Sirdars were to
6 join the British standard with their followers, whenever
7 called upon.
8 Sixth. Merchants conveying articles, the produce of
9 Europe, for the use of the detachments at Loodeeana, or of
10 any other British force or detachment, should not be sub-
11 ject to transit duty, but must be protected in their passage
12 through the Sikh country.
13 Seventh. In like manner horses for the cavalry when
14 furnished with passports from competent oflHcers, must be
15 exempt from all tax.
16 The above declaration being published and circulated,
17 became the charter of rights, to which the chiefs have
18 since looked, and appealed, for the settlement of all ques-
19 tions that have arisen between them and the British
20 Government. The matters specifically provided for, were
21 those that immediately pressed. There has been much
22 however of intricate dispute between rival candidates for
23 Sirdarees ; — between chiefs who had divided their terri-
24 tory before the declaration of protection was published,
25 and had bound themselves to their co-proprietors by
26 mutual obligations ; between chiefs and their dependents
27 of the Sikh nation, as well as Zumeendars, as to the
28 extent of right and authority possessed at the time of
29 the declaration of protection ; — and, perhaps more than
30 all, boundary disputes and quarrels regarding participated
31 K