1 APPENDIX. 131
2 the latter suddenly broke up his camp from Kasoor, and
3 crossed the Sutlege with his army. Fureed-Kot was imme-
4 diately occupied by him, and made over to Suda Koonwur
5 in ejection of Groolab Singh, and Runjeet then proceeded
6 against the Mussulman possession of Muler Kotila. The
7 Puthan family holding it was reduced to extremity, and
8 agreed to a large money payment, giving a bond of a lakh of
9 rupees, to which the Futeeala Raja was induced, by the de-
10 posit of some strongholds, to be security. Mr. Metcalfe ac-
11 companied Runjeet -Singh to Fureed-Kot, but refiised to
12 countenance any military operations east of the Sutlege.
13 He accordingly remained near that river until his govern-
14 ment should determine what to do in the juncture, and
15 addressed in the interval a strong remonstrance against such
16 aggressions, committed to the very face of his proposition to
17 make the matter the subject of discussion and negotiation
18 between the governments. In the mean time Rucjeet Singh
19 continued his progress to Umbala, which, with its depen-
20 dencies, he seized, and made over to the Naba and Eythul
21 cfaiefe. He then exacted tribute from Shahabad and Thane-
22 sor, and returning by Futeeala, made a brotherly exchange
23 of Turbands with the weak Rajah Saheb Singh. After this
24 expedition he again gave Mr. Metcalfe the meeting at
25 Umritzur. The government at Calcutta had in October
26 determined on its course, and the envoy was now instructed
27 to avow that the country between the Sutlege and the
28 Jumna was under British protection, and although that
29 government had no design to require the surrender of
30 possessions occupied before its interposition, it must insist on
31 the restoration of all that had been seized during the late
32 expedition of Runjeet Singh. To enforce this demand, and
33 support the negotiation, a body of troops was advanced to
34 the frontier xmder Colonel, afterwards Sir David, Ochter-
35 loily, and an army of reserve was formed and placed under
36 the command of Major-General St. Leger, to be prepared
37 for any extended operations, the activity, and supposed hos-
38 tile deigns of Runjeet Singh might render necessary.