Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 19.11.6

19.11.6

in so much, that months and years would elapse before an opportunity could offer to exchange a message or a letter. Will it not be surprising after this preamble, if Ram-narain, on receiving the above letter from his two masters, should desire my attendance, and read it to me aloud? On hearing the contents, I answered, "That I took God to witness, that I had not the least connections with this affair, nor indeed any good will for it. That it was not probable that a fallen nobleman, like my father, should have conceived such mighty thoughts; but much likelier that the whole expedition originated with Mahmed-cAly-qhan, who had a whole province at his disposal, with a full treasury, and an army trained by Abul-mansur-qhan; and who, besides, was nearly related to Shudja-ed-doula, himself a powerful Prince, and the Vezir of the Empire. That independently of those considerations, it was known to all the world, that our family settled at Azim-abad these many years, had ceased to entertain any connections with our father, or even to keep up a correspondence of letters with that nobleman; article on which we felt our conscience thoroughly clear. But nevertheless, that if his masters found their advantage in injuring, ruining, and demolishing an innocent family; and he thought it prudent in himself to comply with such orders; we are ready, and at his command; nor could we entertain the most distant thought of resistance; nor are we willing, added I, to bring any blame upon you.