The banners of our country have crossed the Sutlej, and advanced to Lahore. But our present task is done. The policy which has now to regulate the internal condition of a great country, will be better discussed hereafter. We have simply narrated the course of a terrible necessity, which, against the desires of this country, has made the ravages of war a bloody but unavoidable prelude to the beneficent functions of peace. The conflict was not of our seeking. Be the consequences what they may, the Sikhs will have themselves to blame, should it so happen, for the illustration of the maxim, that "when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner." FOOTNOTES: [13] Governor-General to the Secret Committee, 2d December 1845. [14] Governor-General to the Secret Committee, 2d December 1845. [15] Governor-General to the Secret Committee, 4th December 1845. [16] Commander-in-Chief to the Governor-General, December 22, 1845. [17] Commander-in-Chief to Governor-General, 22d December 1845. [18] Commander-in-Chief to Governor-General, 1st February 1846. [19] Eleven guns since ascertained to be sunk in the river--total 67; 30 odd jingalls fell into our hands. [20] Sir Harry Smith to the Adjutant-General, 30th January 1846. [21] Commander-in-Chief to Governor-General, 13th February 1846. _Edinburgh. Printed by Ballantyne and Hughes, Paul's Work._ End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 367, May 1846, by Various