YOU write “that the Piâdehs from Surhutty, who were stationed “with Kumrûddeen Khân, have run away, and that light of our eyes* “has placed a Dalwâr* and a Vakeel in custody of a guard.” It is known. Furnish Kumrûddeen Khân with other Piâdehs, in the room of those who have deserted; keep the two persons you mention in irons; and seize, for the use of the Sircar, the horses and camels belonging to them.

The context would, in this place, seem to imply, that the Dalwâr and Vakeel, here mentioned, belonged to Surhutty, and were seized and confined by Bûr­hânûddeen, as a sort of hostages for the fugitive Piâdehs. If this was not the case, it is impossible to say, at this time, who the persons in question were. The rigorous proceeding against them, here directed, may seem to exceed the measure of justice; but it is probable, that it was not designed so much as a punishment, as a means of accomplishing the recovery of the deserters, Such expedients are but too common, in similar cases, throughout Hindostan; the East-India Company`s possessions excepted.