Money would be advanced to Sháh Shujá wherewith to levy troops and purchase arms; and the services of British officers would be lent him. This failing to meet the Mahárájá's views, he would be allowed 'to take his own course against Dost Muhammad Khán, without reference to us.' In that case Sháh Shujá would return to Kábul only in the event of the Mahárájá wishing to make an instrument of him, and in such case, again, only 'with the almost assured certainty of success.' 'His Lordship,' it was added, 'on the whole is disposed to think that the plan which is second in order is that which will be found most expedient.' The Mahárájá was, in fact, to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. In Persian metaphor, which evidently much tickled Lord Auckland, the beak of appetite was to be tempted by the fruit of conquest and the berries of revenge.
Scarcely had Mr. Macnaghten arrived in the plains before he wrote the first of a series of letters, pressing upon the Governor-General reconsideration of these instructions. These letters, yellow in hue, soiled by damp and dust, and in parts barely legible with their faded ink, show that Lord Auckland was little disposed to yield his judgment to that of his secretary. On May 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 31, and on June 1, 2, and 4, Mr. Macnaghten exhausts himself in repeating and in reinforcing his arguments. The more he reflected on the present state of affairs the more he felt satisfied that it would be highly impolitic to let Ranjít Singh take up Sháh Shujá
