1 APPENDIX. 133
2 notorious turbulence, they opened a fire of matchlocks, and
3 attacked the envoy's camp. The escort was called out, and
4 though composed of two companies of native infantry and
5 sixteen troopers only, this small body charged and routed
6 their party, after which, the biers were buried with the
7 usual forms. Runjeet himself came up at the close of the
8 fight; and immediately it was over, advanced in person to
9 make apologies to the envoy, expressing his admiration of
10 the discipline and order displayed by the British detachment,
11 and promising his best exertions to prevent any repetition
12 of such disorders. The circumstance made an impression on
13 his mind as to the unfitness of his own troops to cope with
14 those imder European discipline, and determined him to
15 secure peace and friendship at the sacrifices demanded.
16 The British Government were sensible, that having inter-
17 fered to impose restraints on the ambition of Runjeet Singh,
18 it had little to expect then from his friendship in case of any
19 necessity arising at that time to arm against invasion from
20 the west. Had danger, indeed, from that quarter been more
21 imminent, it would probably have been deemed political to ex-
22 tend our direct influence farther into the Punjaub, in reduc-
23 tion of the power of a chief who showed himself so unfriendly.
24 But by the time arrangements had to be concluded, the ap-
25 prehension of any necessity of preparation for such an event
26 had worn off, and the only object that remained was, to
27 secure our own fixintier, and for the credit of our power to
28 take redress for the offensive aggressions which the Lahore
29 ruler had recently committed east of the Sutlege. Runjeet
30 Singh expressed a strong desire at this time to obtain a
31 written pledge of our pacific and friendly intentions towards
32 himself; and the restoration of the places seized during his
33 late inroad having been obtained from him, a short treaty
34 declaratory of mutual peace and friendship was concluded by
35 the envoy, at Umritzur, on the 25th April, 1809. It was to
36 the following effect : —
37 (After the usual preamble expressive of the desire for
38 peace, and stating by whom the engagement was settled,)