This Second Treaty of Lahore, which governed our relations with the Punjab until the outbreak at Múltán in 1848, was negotiated by Lord Hardinge on his own responsibility, without reference to his Council at Calcutta or to the Home Government. But he had been entrusted with full authority to adopt whatever policy he thought best, and he subsequently received the most cordial approval of the Treaty. This may be seen from the following letters, written at different times by Sir J. Hobhouse, President of the Board of Control.
In December, 1846, after the news of the suppression of the insurrection in Kashmír, he wrote: — 'I may now congratulate you, as I do most cordially, on the success of your operations against the Shaikh. This termination of a very threatening and embarrassing affair will leave you at leisure to consider the state of affairs at Lahore, and to determine the important question of remaining in or quitting the Punjab. You are in possession of our sentiments on the subject. But let me again say that we leave the decision to you, who are on the spot with all the materials for forming a correct judgment immediately before you; and also that, do what you may, you will be supported by us.' Again, in January, 1847, 'Let me say that all you have hitherto done inspires us with the perfect confidence that all you will do will be well done.' And, finally, after the Second Treaty of Lahore had been received in England, 'I have now only to congratulate you on all you have done and are doing.
