With the return of Mr. Macnaghten to Simla, the question of the form which the expedition to Kábul should take could not be long delayed. The 'Tripartite Treaty,' as it came to be called, was signed on June 26 by Ranjít Singh, on July 16 by Sháh Shujá, at Ludhiána, and on July 19 was placed by Mr. Macnaghten before Lord Auckland. The treaty was the secret of Polichinelle. The Sikhs knew its terms; Sháh Shujá had at once set to work to call together his friends; all India had followed Mr. Macnaghten's movements; before many days Dost Muhammad would be preparing for war. The winter was approaching, when, for many months, military operations would become impossible in Kábul. By July 28 the decision to send a force across the Indus was communicated to the Governor of Bombay. 'Not less than 5,000 men' (to be increased as the information received may show to be necessary) 'are arranged for.' 'Such a measure,' it is added, 'would never of course be thought of, if the cause of Sháh Shujá were not generally popular among the Afgháns.' But upon this point all opinion coincides. As Dr. Lord writes, 'There never was anything which might more properly be termed a national sentiment than the feeling for Sháh Shujá's restoration.' The number is increased in August to 14,000 men, besides a smaller contingent from Bombay. The Commander-in-Chief would not assent to the despatch of a force of which the numbers did not guarantee him from all reasonable risk of disaster.
