Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/132

Regulations and pervaded by their spirit, can be thoroughly controlled and moulded as changes from time to time may become necessary, only by a civilian fully versed in the system of the elder provinces and experienced in its operation. All the world unites in acknowledging the talents and merits of Sir Thomas Munro. I cannot, therefore, illustrate better the strength of my own convictions on this head than by saying that if Sir Thomas Munro were now president of your Board, I should still hold the opinion I have expressed above regarding the office of Chief Commissioner.

'As the Government entertained these views, it became evident that the change it contemplated in the form of administration could not be effected, nor could the dissensions existing be reconciled, unless it were agreeable to you to transfer your services to some other department. And as it appeared to us very improbable that you would agree to any such transfer, and as we had no desire to push you into taking any step unwelcome to yourself, the Government decided not to make any movement upon this occasion.

'Your present letter, in which you state that, with reference to the discord which prevails in the Board, you are willing to accept the Residency of Haidarábád, though by no means desirous of quitting the Punjab, has reopened the question, and I yesterday submitted it to my colleagues in council.

'The result of our consideration was the statement I have now to make, that if you are willing to accept Rájputána, retaining your present salary as personal, the Government will be happy to appoint you to it, with a view to effecting the change of the form of administration in the Punjab, to which I have already referred.

'I presume your offer had no especial reference to Haidarábád. Rájputána in your hands will have the same