doubt, part of the original plan that sent us here, as these posts are to be strongly fortified, consisting, it is supposed, of Shikarpoor, Schwun, Tatta, and Curachee, and are to be the posts of defence on our north-west frontiers against any incursions from our northern neighbours, particularly Russia.  The Ameers are particularly indignant at this, as I am told it did not form part of the original treaty, and they see in it, no doubt with justice, a prelude to our final possession of their country.  Pottinger, the political agent, had collected, before he left Hydrabad, grain for the army to the value of three lacs of rupees; this, it is now found out, has either been taken away or destroyed, and Sir J. Keane immediately added it to the other twenty lacs contained in the treaty.  The Ameers say they will pay half the whole sum demanded here, and the remaining half on our arrival at Shikarpoor.  This Sir J. Keane has refused, and told them he will not leave this or Hydrabad till he gets every fraction.

We yesterday received news which must, I should think, have an effect on the Ameers one way or the other.  The admiral on this station, Sir F. Maitland, brought up in his 74 (I think the Wellesley) H.M. 40th regiment, from Mandivie, in Cutch, to Curachee, a fort on the westernmost branch of the Indus.  On approaching the fort, the Beloochees who garrisoned it, taking it for a common free-trader, had the foolish presumption to fire into her; the admiral wore his vessel round, just gave one broadside, down came their fort in one second about their ears,—­you may guess how it astonished them:  they sent word to say that the English fire a lac of shot in one second.  They say the Ameers were one year in taking this place, which cost the English one second.  I think myself that we shall not have any fighting here, and that Hydrabad will still remain in the hands of the Ameers.

The report to-day is, that we cross the river to-morrow; if so, I suppose with hostile intentions, or at least for intimidation; but this I hardly believe.  Sir J. Keane, they say, refused to receive the deputation from the Ameers yesterday.  Should the thing be settled peaceably, we shall immediately march for Shikarpoor, and thence most likely on Candahar, a new climate.  It has been getting gradually hotter here; and in the hot season Sinde is dreadful.  At Shikarpoor we meet a part, if not the whole, of the Bengal force, and Shah Shooja, with his and Runjet Sing’s contingent, is also there.  Runjet himself is very ill:  part of the agreement between him and us was, that we should preserve the throne to his son on his demise.  He was excessively civil to Lord Auckland, and all the English who have been at Lahore.  Sir H. Fane, they say, still proceeds with the Bengal army.  The drummer is here waiting for my letter, as it is very late for the post, so, in haste, good bye.  Love, &c., and believe me ever,

  Your most affectionate son,
    T.W.E.  HOLDSWORTH.