HIS CLAIM TO THE SUCCESSION. 245 



^' the fat boy," but siicli a face and head — • 

 Napoleon's — a black Napoleon. He is full of 

 intelligence, and will give us English trouble or 

 help. His father is superior in character to the 

 other Ameers, &c." It was evidently Sir 

 Cliarles Napier's intention to have the succession 

 to the Turban fixed on Meer Shah Nowaz, and 

 it is to be hoped that the British authorities 

 will look to this. As a matter of right the 

 succession ought to come to this Prince, and 

 he indeed is most worthy of it, of either of the 

 four sons of Meer Ali Moorad ; but if the matter 

 be left to His Highness, he will of a surety 

 select Meer Jehan Mahomed, a young man of 

 the lowest origin by the mother's side, and who 

 is moreover totally uneducated. 



Forbes' Report above referred to is not in- 

 correct in regard to Meer Shah Nowaz alone, 

 for it contains the following statement, which I 

 know from personal inquiry to have been un- 

 founded : — 



'^ But a few days back Meer Shere Mahomed, 

 fourth son of the late Meer Roostum, appeared a 

 supplicant for subsistence before the door, and 

 is now living on the bounty of her who, in his 

 father's life-tmie a low courtesan in Khyrpoor 



