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PAPERS RELATING TO THE DURBAR CHANGES.
THEIR MAJESTIES AND THE VETERANS.

The following correspondence was published: -

To His Most Excellent and Imperial Majesty King George V., King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, and to Her Most Excellent and Imperial Majesty the Queen Empress.

  1. We, the Indian Mutiny veterans, European, Eurasian and Indian, beg most Humbly and respectfully to tender to Your Most Gracious and Impenal Majesties our most heartfelt and sincere gratitude for- Your Imperial Majesties' kind invitation to us to witness the Royal Delhi Durbar, and beg Your Imperial Majesties will be graciously pleased to accept our heartfelt and respectful congratulations on this most auspicious occasion.
  2. As the ruler of the mightiest Empire in the world, Your Majesty directs the destinies of millions of Your Majesty's subjects, and we fervently pray that God may assist you in this difficult task.
  3. We sincerely hope that Your Imperial Majesties' reign may be long, happy and glorious, and that Your Majesty's efforts may be rewarded hy the thankfulness and love of Your Majesties' loyal subjects.
  4. We pray Your Imperial Majesties to think sometimes of the old Veterans of the Indian Mutiny and soldiers of Their late Majesties Queen Victoria and King Edward VII or blessed memory and to continue to them that kindness Your Imperial Majesties have ever shown. Be assured that our prayers are always for Your Imperial Majesties' welfare.

(Signed) We beg to remain,
Your Most Excellent and
Imperial Majesties' obedient,
humble and loyal subjects.
A. S. HUNTER, MAJOR-GENERAL R.A.,
On behalf of the Indian Mutiny Veterans.

The following reply was received to the above letter :-

KING-EMPEROR's CAMP,
INDIA, IIth December 1911.

The King Emperor and the Queen Empress were much pleased to receive the address from the Indian Mutiny veterans forwarded by you on their behalf. The sight of so many old veterans on parade to-day was for Their Imperial Majesties a most touching scene, for they were looking into the faces and speaking to those who in the time of sore distress stood loyal to their Queen and country and were ready to sacrifice their own lives in defence of that sacred trust.

Please assure these old veterans and soldiers of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, that they will never be forgotten by the present King Emperor, who with Her Imperial Majesty will ever pray that their declining years may be spent in peace and happiness.

(Signed) To MAJOR-GENERAL A. S. HUNTER.
Believe me,
Yours truly,
STAMFORDHAM.

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