Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/90

'You will observe, that a British officer appointed by the Governor-General in Council, with an efficient establishment of subordinates, will remain at Lahore, to direct and control every department of the State.

'The feelings of the people and the just rights of all classes will be respected.

'A Council of Regency, composed of leading chiefs, will act under the control and guidance of the British Resident.

'The Council will consist of eight Sardárs, and the numbers will not be changed without the consent of the British Resident, acting under the orders of the Governor-General.

'The power of the Resident extends over every department, and to any extent.

'A military force may be placed in such forts and posts, and of such strength, within the Lahore territories, as the Governor-General may determine.

'These terms give the British Resident unlimited authority in all matters of internal administration and external relations during the Mahárájá's minority.

'The concession of these powers will enable the British Government to secure the peace and good order of the country — the authority will be exercised for the most beneficial purposes; these terms are more extensive than have been heretofore required, when native States have received the protection of a British contingent force. My motive in requiring such large powers has arisen from the experience of its necessity during the last nine months, and my reluctance on general principles to revert to the subsidiary system of using British troops to support a native Government, while we have no means of correcting the abuses of the civil administration of a country ostensibly under British protection. A British force acting as the instrument of a corrupt native agency is a system leading to mischievous