The Press. — London, England, 1858-01-16 00:00:00

58 Letter, Dec. 9. dente with Agra and Communication between Bombay and Calcutta had been stopped for a fortnight; and the intelligence from the Punjaub was scanty and unsatisfactory. " Rohilcund," says a writer from the Punjaub, N3v. 30, " we have not yet attempted to recover":— Around Delhi a moveable column is still engaged in putting down rebellion; but intimation has just been received of the Joudpore Legion and their confederates having been signally defeated near Narnotil, so that we may hope ezaitement in that quarter will gradually subside, and all to the northward of that is perfectly tranquil. The disturbances in Gogairah, between Lahore and Mooltan, have been very harassing and vexatious, and had the fall of Delhi been delayed they would undoubtedly have spread and put the whole country in a flame. Indeed, the Jakrani chief, who has been seized and imprisoned in &lode, has confessed that a rising had been organised from Kurrachee to Lahore, and was on the point of break ing out. All this, however, thanks be to God, is now at an and; and seeing that ►he political atmosphere is now so greatly changed for the better, I trust we are now justified in considering that there is no farther ground for solicitude in that quarter. It appears strange, however, and is to be regretted, that not a single arrival of troops from England, at either Kurrachee or Bombay, has been as yet reported, save a few engineers, who have been brought by the over land steamer. From Delhi a great convoy of stores and cattle was to start for Cawnpore very shortly. It is to be sincerely hoped that ere this they have reached Sir Colin Campbell safely, but their escort would appear injudiciously weak. "We are about to start an immense convoy," writes an officer, Dec. 1, from Delhi, " collected here, and by the Commissary at Meerut, far the force at Cawnpore ": We have conjointly assembled 100 elephants, 2,000 camels, and 20,000 bullocks—a nice collection of animals to escort safely, with all their attendants, nearly 10,000 men, down the road 250 miles to Cawnpore, with Futteh ghur only 20 miles to the left of that road, and Calpee to the right, both held by a strong force of the rebels. We can only afford as escort for this string of animals, which will occupy nearly 10 miles of road, one European regi ment, reduced or weak in numbers, oue troop of horse artillery, a squadron of Carabineers, and a corps of Sikh cavalry. The following few words afford a glimpse into the state of the Doab My last intelligence from Kussowlee was dated 9th November; since that our communications with the provinces above have been interrupted. The road between Meerut and Agra was declared by the Chief Commissioner, on the 30th November, to be unsafe for travellers. " In the direction towards Mynpoorie and in the Etawah district," says the writer, " the country is disorganised beyond former times, ani onr communication with it is very un certain." Sir Hugh Rose has assumed command of the Net.- budda Field Force, of which the Mhow and Malwa columns form the nucleus. His army will operate in the east of Rajpootana, clearing the country from Mhow to Ajmere, and from Ajmere to Gwalior. The army of General Roberta assembling at Deesa will enter Rajpootana vii Palhanpoor, to drive before it the insurgents of Meywar, Marwar, Joudpore, Jey. suimeer and Bikaneer. Sir Hugh by the latest dates had reached Indora with the Malwa column, and had succeeded in disarming Holkar's disaffected regiments stationed there. The Mhow column has advanced upon Bhopal. Neemuch, so lately reduced by this column, is now in safety, " but," adds the Bombay Telegraph," the garrison want reinforcements, ammunition, and provisions." The garrison therefore would not appear to have been materially benefited by their relief. Connected with the relief of this place tare some details of an action fought near Mundesore, which certainly proves that if they think proper the rebels can fight with surprising valour. The rebels were posted in advance of the village of Ghario. Brigadier Stuart attacked and drove them into the village, and here they held their ground with un• equalled courage : Ghario in the meanwhile obstinately resisted. Captain Rungerford battered it on the north of our line, Captain Woolcombe on the south. The 80th, with the Enfield, dealt deadly destruction on the rebels, and vast numbers fell in the village without inducing the remainder to yield. Night came, and the rebels still held out. It was not till morning that 150 men, the remnant of upwards of 2,000, who had been surrounded, gave themselves up as prisoners. In Khandeish the Bheels, who six weeks ago we were assured were "completely dispersed" and " thoroughly crushed," have again risen near Nal sick, and plundered villages in the district of Peint, a part of them taking up a final position in the Snttergbaut, whilst another band robbed and burnt Burma and Elonja. In Guzerat bands of Holies and Grassing have also been committing depreda tions, the latter burning and plundering the town of Metier, near Surat, on the 10th inst. But the mo-t daring efforts of these petty, but harassing, Mut... g n's are those made in the South Mabratta country, where the chronic disaffection has suddenly broiso out into open violence near Kolapore. These men THE PRESS, JANUARY 16, 1858. Colonel Le Grand Jacob dispersed after a hard fight. The rebels appeared to have made another stand at. Hulguller, near Beejepore, and were severely handled by Lieutenant Kerr of the Mahratta Horse. These outbreaks are attributed to the Disarming Act, and in all probability they will extend to Shoora poor and other places where we may expect resistance. At Surat it was reported that a strong force of Bheels were at Sougard Wayado, within thirty miles of Surat, and that the town of Wallode had been plundered by them. The booty captured at Delhi had been declared by the Calcutta Government to be " not prize," and that strict accounts were to be rendered of all the property and treasure then and now captured, which was to be returned to the Government. The troops engaged in the siege and capture of Delhi are to be rewarded with six months' baits. EAST INDIA HOUSE. A SPECIAL Court of Proprietors was held on Wed nesday at their house in Leadenhall-street, in pursu ance of a requisition, to consider the communication addressed to the Court of Directors from the Go vernment respecting the continuance of the powers of this company. The CHAIRMAN, having informed the court that the annuity of 1,0001. to General Sir Archdale Wilson, and the annuities of 5001. each to Lady Neill and Mrs. Nicholson, had been approved and confirmed by the Board of Control, said, before they proceeded to the business of the day he had to acquaint the court that the Court of Directors had addressed a letter to the Government on the subject of the com munication that had been made to him and the Deputy Chairman by the Prime Minister of its being the intention of the Government to bring in a bill in the present session of Parliament to transfer the government of India from the East India Company to the Crown : He was not yet in possession of any answer from her Majesty's Government, or of any information beyond that which he communicated to the proprietors at the last court. Ile begged to add that it was the intention of the Court of Directors before Parliament reassembled to summon a court of proprietors and lay before them all the information which they possessed, and take their opinion and invite their co-operation in any proceedings it might be deemed advisable to pursue. Colonel RATHBONE suggested that the meeting should be adjourned until the reply of the Govern ment bad been received. After some further conversation on this point, Mr. CRAWSHAY, Mayor of Gateshead, rose to propose a resolution to the effect that such a measure as that contemplated by Lord Palmerston was " opposed to the rights and privileges of the East India Company, fraught with danger to the constitutional interests of England, perilous to tho safety of the Indian empire, and calls for the resistance of this corporation by all constitutional means." Mr. Crawshay then, in a vigorous speech, defended the East India Company from all the misdeeds charged against it, on the ground that the Company had been submissive to another power, the Board of Control, which, by the abolition of the Company, would become supreme : When it was proposed to abolish the double government, what was it that it was intended to extinguish ? Why, the East India Company. The Company would die really, while the Board of Control would undergo a sham death ; at the same time all the present power possessed by the Company would be invested in the Government. To abolish the double government, therefore, was nothing more than to abolish the East India Company, and to give that power which it now enjoyed aide by side with the Go. vernment to the Government itself exclusively. Mr. LEWIN seoonded the motion. Mr. MACKENZIE opposed it. All the arguments in favour of the retention of the Company were, in his opinion, completely outweighed by those of vast political importance for the Crown at once assuming tha direct government of India. " I would advocate the direct government of India," said Mr. Mao kenzie, "by the Crown—first, because under the present system of government there is no direct responsibility " On whom, for example, does the blame rest fur not sending more European troops to India last year, and when we heard of the mutinies who were to blame for not immediately despatching troops overland? In these oases we have the responsibility bandied about from the Board of Control to the Court of Directors and the Governor General, with skill that an Eastern magician might envy, and if blame appeared to be brought home to any one de partment it was soon made to disappear. Secondly, it seems to me unconstitutional that a body of men like the Court of Directors should be held up as responsible for the home government of India, over which they have no control or independent action, as was clearly proved by Sir James Melvin before the secret committee of the House of Lords. Rumour states that even the present noble Premier has borne testimony to the action of the Com pany as a good buffer between himself and public opinion on Indian affairs. Thirdly, that iu India, where the Company still reign paramount, the governing class, who are their own nominees, looking to the pleasure of the court for their future promotion, have saught to govern India entirely for their own exclusive advantage. A mere change in the home administration of India, unaccompanied by a complete reformation of local administration, would produce no beneficial result The double government at home is no doubt a great evil, but the real mischief lies in the fact that the twit) authorities are unable to give protection to life and p r ., perty, which is the first duty of every Government. Thi s system can only be remedied by the introduction of a much larger European element into the administration of justice. Under a different system of government India would have had a wealthy agricultural population, and would have been covered with many magnificent works, the creations of European skill and activity. It may be argued, " If the people of Bengal are in the state you represent, why did they not join the nurineers ?" This may do for the uninitiated, the same as the long speeches as to whether this is to 5e celled a mutiny or a revolt. I would ask where, from time immemorial, do we ever hear of the people of Bengal rising against their rulers' standing army? When we took Bengal, Ink we to conquer the people? I trust that India will at once be openly and avowedly taken over by the Crown, and our Queen pro claimed, not Banee (queen), but Pudishah (empress), and her representative there should act for her in that capacity. Along with this we ought at once to do away with all idea of governing India by truckling to the passions of any sect. Let us proclaim at once our position in India as her conquerors, and then the natives will comprehend it, for in no other place in the world is the " might is right " principle so well understood. Having distinctly asserted our supremacy, we ought to become kind, honest, and just rulers of India; and her people should be made to feel that we are so, not from any fear of the bloodthirsty Mahomedan, or the venal, torture•loving Hindoo, but from that high sense of justice which is the characteristic of the English race. Colonel SYKES, in a careful speech, vindicated the Company from all responsibility kr the last twenty years. The Board of Control, he declared, were entirely responsible for every act of policy during that period. After a few remarks from Mr. G. BRIGGS, the debate was adjourned till Wednesday next. THE FILIBUSTERS. THE filibustering designs of Walker have received an abrupt check by the interference of the American commodore on the station. It appears from the accounts that on the 4th ult. Colonel Frank Ander son, who had been sent by Walker with fifty men to take possession of Fort Castello and four steamers, performed that duty without opposition. He had, it is reported, three months' provision, six pieces of artillery, and abundance of ammunition. Three of the captured steamers were handed by Walker to Garrison and Morgan ; the third, which was the only one that came down the river, was seized by Com modore Paulding and handed over to the American Consul at Greytown. Previously to the arrival of Commodore Paulding Captain Chatard had officially informed Walker that if "any more American property or any of his officers were molested he would blow General Walker out of water with shot and shell." After Walker landed he took possession of Scott's buildings, and a schooner lying at Point Arenas. Captain Chatard, of the Saratoga, informed him that he must give up the schooner and evacuate the buildings, which be did, moving further up the Point, where be hired a few small huts, and hoisted his flag there. On the 19th Commodore Paulding arrived in the Wabash. Her Majesty's ship Brunswick and the United States' steamer Fulton arrived on the same day; these two vessels bad to anchor outside for want of water. On the Bth Paulding with a strong force boarded the Fulton, and ran her along Scott's Wharf. At the same time the Saratoga brought her broadside to bear on the filibusters' quarters, ready to open fire at a given signal. The force lauded was about four hundred men. Captain Engle then pulled on to the head quarters of Walker, who met him at the landing-place and invited him to his hut. Captain Engle then gave him a communication from Flag•otficer PauldinF. As soon as he read it he said, " I surrender, and am under your orders." " Then, sir," said Captain Engle, "haul down your flag." He immediately ordered it down, and, it is said, wept. Captain Engle then said, " General, I am very sorry to see you here. I would like to see an officer of your ability in command of regular troops." They then spoke of the disposi; on of the aims, &c. At four p.m. General Walker, under the order of Commodore Paulding, went on board the Fulton, and a short time afterwards Captain Engle, his aide, and General Walker were pulled off in the gig to the Wabash. The sea was running so high that they were hoisted up in their boat. The rest of the force with Walker's men, 140 in number, soon followed in the Fulton, and about an hour after dark were all on board the ship. The officers of Walker's exrdi tion seemed to be much cast down at finding their plans all defeated in the full tide of success, but many of the privates seemed to be perfectly satisfied, • The correspondent of the New York Times, from whose communication the above is condensed, states