s it may be possible. On this point my
determination is fixed. At the same time it is very apparent, from
the general aspect of affairs, that the period is fast approaching
when further changes will take place at Lahore, and that the weak
government of the regent will be subverted by the violence of the
troops, instigated by the intrigues of the party favourable to the
Rajah Goolab Singh.

"I shall not consider the march of the Sikh troops in hostile array
towards the banks of the Sutlej as a cause justifying hostilities,
if no actual violation of our frontier should occur. The same
privilege which we take to adopt precautionary measures on our side
must be conceded to them. Every forbearance shall be shown to a
weak government, struggling for assistance against its own soldiers
in a state of successful mutiny."[14]

A week later, no act of open hostility having yet been committed, the
Governor-General, then in the camp at Umballah, was informed that the
authorized agent of the court of Lahore had joined the camp. Major
Broadfoot was immediately directed to see the Vakeel, and to require
from him a reply to the remonstrance, which, as we have said, had been
previously made against the proceedings that had taken place at the time
it was written. At this conference the Vakeel asserted that he had
received no reply from the Durbar at Lahore. The Governor-General acted
with the utmost temperance:--

"When Major Broadfoot reported to me, in the evening, the result of
this interview, I immediately directed him to address to the Vakeel
the written communication, a copy of which is inclosed.

"I considered that it was absolutely necessary, on my arrival at
Umballah, to take decided notice of the extraordinary proceedings
that had taken place, and were stated to be still in progress. It
was evident I could not permit the political agent's
communications, in the face of what was going on at Lahore, to be
treated with disregard. I took the mildest course in my power,
consistently with the dignity, position, and interests of the
British government. I purposely left an opening to the Lahore
government to remedy, through its Vakeel, the discourtesy it had
shown, by affording to that government the facility of making any
explanation it might desire. The plain construction to be put on
the sile