17. The Resident then took over the government of the country; and a detailed account is given below of the interview, immediately before this occurred, between him and the King, at the Zard Kothi Palace, on the morning of February 4th, 1856 :—
"General Outram, accompanied by Captains Hayes and Weston, proceeded at 8 A.M. to visit His Majesty by appointment. The approaches to, and the precincts of, the palace were unusually deserted; the detachments of artillery on duty at the palace, together with the detachments of His Majesty’s foot-guards, were unarmed, and saluted without arms; the artillery was dismounted, and not a weapon was to be seen amongst the courtiers and officials present to receive the Resident on his entering the palace. The Resident was received at the usual spot, by His Majesty in person, with the customary honors.
"During the conference, in addition to the Prime Minister (Nawab All Naki Khan), His Majesty's brother (Sekunder Hashmat), the Residency Vakil (Mushee-ud-Daulah), his Deputy (Sahib-ud-Daulah), and the Minister of Finance (Raja Balkishen), were present.
"The Resident, after assuring His Majesty that, from kindly consideration to his feelings, he had been induced to forward, through the Minister, a copy of the Most Noble the Governor-Generals letter, two days ago, to afford the King ample time to peruse and reflect on the contents of His Lordship’s letter, now felt it his duty, in pursuance of his instructions, to deliver to His Majesty in person the Governor-Generals letter in original. His Majesty, after attentively perusing the letter, observed that he had already been made acquainted with its purport and contents, not only by the Minister, but by the copy of the letter which the Resident had been good enough to transmit, and for which the King expressed his obligation. After abrief pause, His Majesty turned towards the Resident, and said, 'Why have I deserved this? What have I committed?' The Resident replied that the reasons which had led to the new policy, were explicitly, clearly, and abundantly detailed in His Lordship's letter to His Majesty, and that he was unable to discuss the subject, or to deviate in any way from the tenor of the instructions with which he had been honored; but the Resident had little doubt that, on mature reflection, the King would readily acquiesce in the proposals made by the British Government. His Majesty should consider how amply and liberally the Government had provided for His Majesty’s maintenance. The King's titles, honors, rank, and dignity would be
