266 ORDERS AND PREPARATIONS CHAP. XVI. ' eral Guyon and Schamyl, so entrap the Eussian ' army in and around Tiflis as to compel its sur- ' render to superior numbers. ' I have only further to express to you, on the ' part of Her Majesty's Government, their entire ' reliance in your judgment, zeal, and discretion; ' and their conviction that, whilst you will not ' expose the army under your command to un- ' necessary risk, you will not forget that to the ' gallantry and conduct of your troops their ' countrymen are now looking to secure, by the
- blessing of Providence, the great object of a
' just war, the vindication of national rights, and ' the future security of the peace of Europe. ' I have the honour to be, ' ;My Lord, ' Your Lordship's obedient humble servant, ' Newcastle.' 'General the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.,
- &c. &c. &c. '
Extreme stringency of the in- •tructions. In common circumstances, and especially where tlic whole of the troops to be engaged are un- der one commander, it cannot be right for any Sovereign or any Minister to address such in- structions as these to a General on a distant shore ; for the General wlio is to be entrusted with the sole command of a great expedition must be, of all mankind, the best able to judge of its military prudence, and to give him orders thus cogent is to dispense with his counsel. But in this war the united forces of France
