PROCLAMATION. 20th March, 1849.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 350, 4 September 1849, Page 3

PROCLAMATION. 20th March, 1849.

_ For many years in (he time of Maharajah llunjrct S»n£, peace and friendship prevailed bttween (he liritith nali n nml the Sikhs. When Runjcet Sing was dead, nnd his widow no longer guided the counsels of the state, the Sudani and the Khalsd Aimy, without provocation and without cause, suddenly invaded the British territories. Their army was again and again defeated : they were driven with slaughter and in shnmc from the country they had invaded, and, at the gates of Lahore, the Maharajah Dulecp Singh tendered to the Governor-General the submission of himself and his chiefs, and solicited tho clemency of the British Government, The Governor- Geneicl cxteuded the clemency of his government to the state of Lahore. He generously spared the kingdom which he had acquired a just right to subveit ; and the Maharajah having been replaced on the throne, treaties of friendship were formed be « ween the stale. The British have faithfully kept their word, and have scrupulously observed every obligation which the treaties impoaed upon them. But the Sikh people and their chiefs have, on their par', grossly and faithlessly violated the promises by which they were bound. Of their annual tribute, no portion whatever has at any time been puid ; and large loans advanced to them by the Government of India, hava never been repaid. Tho control of the British Government, to which they voluntarily submitted themselves, has been resisted by arms. Peace has been cast ajide — BritUh officers have been murdered when acting for the state. Others engaged n the like employment have treacherously been thrown into captivity. Finally the army of the state and the whole Sikh people, joined by many of the Sirdars in the Punjab who signed the treaties, and led by a member of the Regency itself, have risen in arms against us, and have waged a fierce and bloody war for the proclaimed purpoie of destroying tho British and their power. The Government of India formerly declared that it desired no further conquest ; and it proved by its acts the Binceiity of its pro'esuions. The Government of India has no desiio for conquest now : but it is bound in its duty to provide fully for its own security and to guard the in.ten.sts of those committed to its chaigc. To the end and as the only sure mode of protecting the state from the perpetual recurrence of unprovoked and wasting wan, the Governor-General it compelled to resolve upon the entire subjection of a people whom their own Government has long been unable to control, and whom (as eventt have now shown) no punishment can deter from violeute, — no acts of friendship can conciliate to peace, WhiTcfoie, the Governor-General of India has declared, and hereby proclaims that the Kingdom of the Punjab is at an end ; and that all the territories of Maharajah Dulleep Singh arc now and henceforth a portion of the British Empire in India. His Highness the Maharajah shall be treated with consideration and with honour. The few chiefs who have not engaged in hostilities against the Biitish, shall retain their property and their rank. The British Government will leave to all the people whether Mussuimen, Hindoo, or Sikh, the free exercise of their owu religious ; but it will not permit any man to interfcie with others in the observance of such forms and customs as their respective religions may either enjoin or permit. Tho J.i&heeis and all the property of Sirdars or others who linve been in arms against the British shall be confiscuted to ttie state. The defences of every fortified place in the Punjab, if not occupied by Biitish troops, shall be totally destroyed ; and cflectuul measures shall be taken to depiive the people of the means of renewing either tumuil or war. The Governor* General calls upon all the inhabitants of the Punjab — Sirdars and people — to submit therasi lyes peaceably to the authoiity of the British Governmuit, which has hereby been claimed. Over those who shall live as obedient nnd peaceful subjects of the State, the Britibh Government will rule with mildness and beneficence. But if les'iEtance to constituted authority ahull again be attempted ; if violence and turbulence shall be renewed, the Govern >r-Geneial warns the people of the Punjub thai the time for leniency will then havepeosed nwav, that their offences will be punished with prompt and most rigorous mwnvity. ,(t&i*cnAfPtfj. By order of the Right Honorable ibe GorernorGcueral of ludia, 11. M. Eliot, Secretary to the Government of India, With the Governor-General.