ul-Mulk, such as T have above explained. The first course would be absolute defeat and would leave a free opening to Russian and Persian intrigue upon our frontier. The second would be only to give power to those who feel greater animosity against the Sikhs than they do against the Persians, and who would probably use against the former the means placed at their disposal. And the third course which, even in the event of the successful resistance of Herát, would appear to be most expedient, would, if that State were to fall into the hands of the Persians, have yet more to recommend it, and I cannot hesitate to say that the inclination of my opinion is, for the reasons which will be gathered from these papers, very strongly in favour of it.'
The measure adopted, in pursuance of this Minute, was the mission to Lahore of Mr. Macnaghten, Chief Secretary to Lord Auckland's Government. The Mahárájá was at Adínanagar, beyond Lahore, and there in May, 1838, Mr. Macnaghten repaired, to be met by Captain Burnes, now on his return from Kábul, by Captain Wade, and by others. The instructions given to Mr. Macnaghten were, briefly, these. Alternative courses of action were to be laid before the Mahárájá. Either the joint treaty executed between Ranjít Singh and Sháh Shujá in 1833, when, in conjunction with the former, Sháh Shujá had made his last descent on Kábul, should be recognized by the British Government. In that case a Sikh force, accompanied by British agents, would 'advance cautiously on Kábul.' At the same time, a division of the British army, escorting Sháh Shujá, would temporarily occupy Shikárpur in Sind.
