any need for his presence in the Punjab at such a contingency, and indicated a chilling disregard or ignorance of any exceptional value attaching to his relations with the Sikhs.
When thus about to resume his old post and functions, Sir Henry could not help feeling the difficulty in which Lord Dalhousie was placed, and of his realizing that it was almost impossible for him, from want of the intimate knowledge of the fluctuating details of recent years, to accept what Sir Henry held to be the only view that was true and just and sound of the conduct of the Khálsa, and of the treatment that should be meted out to them. Still, he felt it to be his duty to let that view be clearly known; although, as will be seen, it was made as difficult and disagreeable as possible for him to do so.
Lord Dalhousie's opinions and intentions were thus expressed to him: —
'It will remain for us to consider whether we can continue in relations of amity with a power whose Government, even under our protection and guidance, will not, or cannot, control its own army, or whether we should not at once take our own measures for obliterating a State which, as these events would appear to show, can never become a peaceful neighbour, and which, so long as it is allowed to exist, is likely to be a perpetual source of military annoyance (at all events), and consequently a cause of unsatisfactory expense and of additional anxiety.'
And again: —
'There was no more sincere friend of Lord Hardinge's policy to establish a strong Hindu Government between the
