Star. — London, England, 1819-03-05 00:00:00

, that it.had resolved to avenge unparalleled atrocities as soon as permit, had no sanction arrived in id for these measures, although the 'here and in India, were well aware incited in India might have broughtl • of those whom terror or treaties Our cause. This band of despera ,cceeding 30,000 men, was of that although attacked, routed, and scat -lions, it speedily concentrated, *silver under tke pressure of the igh for a moment separated, re , the finger was removed. They men trained to arms, in the forces the greatest Officers .amongst the lolkar and Meer Khan, which last, employed as an auxiliary by one es, had the talent and address to master of the Government he was non. Connected as the Pindarrics 4iir former masters, it was to be in case of their being attacked ing -fence, require their powerful 'ier directly or indirectly engage Besides, it was also to be appre war on the other side of the ter the Pindarries were mostly con the Mahratta Powers, they should supplies from that quarter.— tuis of Hastings took the field, he A to be obliged to encounter the re- Scindia and of Holkar, beside the more inconsiderable Powers. He expect the minor hostility of The tie Rajah of Nagpore would have in the campaign. He did not at things, because of two Treaties, in the collection before the House, ttered into so very recently with And so far as profession, publi :t went, he had every reason to idelity and their friendship. But 4.'3 be prepared against the worst; were his plans and dispositions ar _ enabled him to accomplish in the months, that which scarcely admitted unless the most brilliant facts . testify to it. Scindia he over iormidable of his enemies, and com were, into a Treaty, probably not nor very superiorly arranged, but ictly suited to its purpose. So-that the compact entered into by that itary skill by which it was enfor . sagacity and brilliant . generalship Ivernor are equally conspicuous. With Khali, acquiescence and submission recorded on his part. He withdrew his scene of action, and surrendered his best and most unequivocal proofs to be earnest in his fidelity.— ined three other Powers to be dis• toed. He had been some time be negociation with Holkar, and al satisfactory of that negotiation ap apers on the table, I can safely as that it is not because there exists no Ala passed ; but in consequence of omission in their being transmitted however, I must mention, which ling to my knowledge within these • past, serves to shew the rancorous and brutality which was manifested parties Connected with the Rajah of Marquis of Hastings had been in . with the mother of the Rajah, and .e most sanguine hopes of being able to desirable accommodation, through her son. But within a very few hours, . may say, within a very few days of [mmediate battle that subsequently ensued, Maypoor, one of the officers high in the country, entered her camp, and she was afterwards, dragged with infamy to the river side, and her disfigured and ni trated carcass most ignominiously thrown in 1— No wonder then, that a change occurred in the coun cils of her son, the first notice of which, however, was given on the troops composing the advanced guard of Sir Thomas Hislop. And the recital of this bar barous trait brings me to the close of the first action. I feel myself completely unable, even if it were ne cessary, to go into any military detail on this occa sion. But I may be suffered to say, that more de termined gallantry, more inflexible perseverance, or greater exertion of mind and body on every part, were r.ever yet more eminently displayed than on the occasion of the first battle. The loss of many fol la.::ed in the conflict; and I have only to regret it viz.s so extensive The conduct, however, of the Offi- CTT then second in command deserves my especial mention. The name of Sir John Malcolm, already trill:lent in arts and arms, must henceforth live LH - ever in our memory, as long is Britain herself sr:all hold her name and the excellence of military p.a.as speak wisdom in their projector. (Hear, hear.) liat battle was the complete dissolution of a confe ce-acy which had secretly been formed, and which, M.it for the wisilom and precaution of our Generals, Last have proved to us a source of annoyance, if not Ivc•rse. All the territory of Holkar, on the sou th side of t'-:e Narbuddah, became ceded and surrendered, a , tae result of the firsraction ; and England has now or -y to collect the scattered fragments of a kingdom, azd re-unite them, for the purposes of her commer cial er4erprise and glory. But while this campaign :tae so successful, events not foreseen by the Marquis cf Hastings had occurred. His unsuspecting faith 2:4 honourable mind did not lead him to anticipate those events which he subsequently found fraught `PtVh both danger and surprise. The Rajah, be it ;Lawn, is the executive officer of the Government niaaagst the Native Powers, and his defection and teacnery led ultimately to the replacing on the throne the real and legitimate Sovereign dr the country. Thr new Sovereign has bound himself to our alliance, aa.d siActt his signature to the Treaty, his conduct has been equal to the most zealous of his professions. At an interview held with him by Sir J. Malcolm , than whom there was no man better acquainted with the councils and dispositions of the Native Power's, he (Sir John) felt perfectly satisfied with his conduct. At a subsequent period, however, fixed by the Mah rat ,tta Princes, and upon a given day, the change in " 45 C 4 ) 411 6 1 s was ream:eited by a treacherous attack prernment of India, ch estise these unF e season would perm • , e from England In ,vernment, both her , a war once kindle its vortex many o feebly bind to our though not exce r iption, that altho ; in various direct a globule of quick r , which, althouE 'II as soon as th principally men Sciadia, one of the • •*ve Princes. Holl ugh originally em 'die Nati ye Princes, r himself mast° I in to support. ,s were with their . ided they should, as overpowering ss istance, and either i bern in the war. Be beaded, that as the w r itories, in which th: g r ated, touched the d r aw considerable su Eat when the Marqui therefore expected to galas troops of Seine i r regular troops of cm did not, however, ex) fei,hwa ; or that the t aited against him in all anticipate those ti de first and second in which ha.l been ente iae latter Powers. .A rim, and compact r eckon upon their fit: 'N still determined :a r.a.! so effectually wet ranged, as to have er race of three month , . of very easy belief, were on record to I red, the most form' pressed him, as it we well drawn up, nor tell however perfectl whether looking to tl Treaty, or the red, the political sag cf the Chief Governs regard to Meer ,Khzi are to be recorded troops from the scent artillery, as the best of his disposition to There still remained comfited or subdued fore in a course of n though nothing satin pars upon the pape sore the House, that evidence as to what ore accidental onsil some. One fact, be though only coming three or four days spirit of hostility anc by some of the part Na;pore. The Ma communication with entertained the most effect some desirali influence, with her s or at all events I m; the first immediate namely, that of Ma the councils of the cut off her head : sl infamy to the river treated carcass me No wonder then, th cils of her son, the f given on the troop of Sir Thomas Hisl bayous trait brings I feel myself compl cessary, to go into sion. But I may termined gallantry greater exertion of were r.ever yet mos occasion of the fir in the conflil viz...s so extensivcs i to Men second it mention. The nay eminent in arts a. far ever in our m sr:all hold her nay .a . :13 speak vrisclo '.at battle was tl re - acy which had for the wisdo Lust have proved vc•rse. All the ter of t'.le Narbuddal the result of the nrrl to coll ec t the anal re - unite them cai er4erprise anc ::,te so successful, 4 f Hastings had .lri honourable n those events whi , with both dange known, is the ex amongst the Nat tract:cry led ultit real and leg Tht Aew Soverei ai.d siaress iri s • sit has beers equal tt At an interview than whom there the councils and be (Sir John) felt At a subsequent ratia Princes, at **i C 4 )41161$ V: as .upon Mr. Elphingaete, the British Attantuadoz: the* resident at his cm% The nada of ?Str. ElPhil4tAine . is fa th iliar alike to tlieliteratim Of Ida einnttrt,•:ll4 every other subject that can Indicate eetraarenary talents, diligence, and zeal,:—(llear, heer.)-4'hat attack, •I need not say, wss repelled with a degree of military courage, not to be looked fbiin the ordinary range of diplomatic charactersi*d - thsplayed a reso lution and a bravery 'worthy of k ethounitnate Gene ral, even amongst Generals whose fame is already known to be of no common stamp. That attack was too serious to be mistaken ; and hostilities almost im- mediately commenced. So ample still were the pro visions of Lord Hastings, for any new emergency, that although not calculating upon this fresh attack, and after effecting so much as he previously had done, there yet remained enough to occupy a consi derable portion of his troops, before the expulsion of the treacherous Rajah from his Throne could be ac complished. But he was very speedily reduced, and all the effects of his secret concert with the Rajah of Nagpore at once discovered and defeated. Such defection was not expected from that Chief, as he had been not only placed, but maintained upon his throne by the British Power. And his attack upon the Resident at his Court; met art equally courageous defence as had been offered under similar etrcum- stances by Mr. Elphinstone to the Peishwa. The . Marquis of Hastings very-naturally thought he could rely on the fidelity of a Chief; who had received -nci thing but benefits from the British Power; but inas much as he had considered his security unlikely to be disturbed, and was therefore to a certain degree unprepared for what occurred, so was his hazard by far the greater and his success the more remarkable triumphant, The success in both cases was the same. The resistance of the Rajah and the Peishwa wits unavailing, and the result of ate attack on both, a-vi , ctory in one case, and entire submission in the other. And if a difference at all exists in their con, ditions, it is, that the Peishwa from being a fugitive, is now a captive ; and the Rajah is still a wanderer, without being abld of course to bring any thing of a formidable description again to disturb our Govern ment in that quarter. But though this be his condition, I cannot as yet safely state that The war is at an end. In such a scene of complicated hostility, covering, and occupying a space, before which all European campaigns must shrink in ihe comparison, it is quite impossible for , me to attempt any thing like a parti cular detail of the operations that occurred, The feats of prowess and the deeds of gallantry, were'al most so contemporaneously performed, that I feel totally unable to tread the mazes of their glory, with either justice to the British tdoops or satisfaction-to my own feelings of their tnerits—(Hear, hear.) In every instanceduring the campaign the valour of the British troops has been singularly conspicuous.- But when I say so of the British troops, let me guard the House against any such erroneous impression as that the contest was 011 'as between tried and valiant Eng lish soldiers, and the peaceable and inoffensive natives of the Indian powers. Let it not be considered as European valour against untaught Indians—for, out of 90,000 troops, the whole amount of the army en gaged in the campaign, 10,000 only were British troops ; and if _the natives, who composed the re maining number of that army, who belonged to the forces of the Honourible East Indii Company, tried to be sure, and disciplined by British Officers, I can say, that they emulated the example they had been set by those who taught them—(Hear, hear.) In ;kill and education the British were superior, but in attachment, courage, and perseverance, the na tive troops have fully equalled all that the most san guine could have expected. In justice to the native troops on the Establishment of Bombay, it should be known, that many of them were recruited in the Peishwa's country. Their families, their dwellings, property, -and friends were under his controul ; and he spared no threats, allurements. - or persuasions, to enlist them in his service. But all was ineffectual. They came to the british Officers with the pledges of their attachment, with the proofs of the temptations which had been offered them ; and, in many instan ces, the deadliest vengeance fell on those who bad the courage to resist them. This, however, rather exasperated than .cooled their • ardour, and gave a fresh and further impetus to their exertions. This quality of combined courage, and attachment was never more conspicuous than WI one occasion which I shall particularize . ; and .1 do so as well to pay a tribute to the native troops, as to the talents of an Officer commanding them, but whose rank, I am sorry to add, prevents his name from being entered on the Journals of the House. A small body of troops, amounting to betwein 900 and 1,000 men, except such a trifling portion of artillery, as those acquainted with the matter can better estimate than myself, was on its march from one part of the Peishwa's dominions to another, and totally igno. rant of the recent commencement of hostilities.— As they proceeded, however, their astonishment was painfully excited by the fearful appearancrof a Mah ratta force amounting to nearly twenty thousand ca valry. Retreat was impossible, and battle was, they knew. their only hope. The contest came, and this small body maintained for a whole day a doubtful but victorious contest-;-victorious at all events, so far' as to keep their enemy at defiance. Amid wounds and death, oppressive heat, and its consequent fatigue, their only complaint was thir t st, which they were un able even once to slate ; but'still, despite of this and all they had endured, they effected their retreat, and covered themselves with glory--(ffevir, hear.) In such a waste and wilderness of heroism, one cannot but select a green and sunny spot like this (Hear, ;ear), on which the mind reposes with delighted feel., lags, and can indulge itself with a gratification, even the most brilliant trophies do not always yield. The name of the officer commanding the body of which I have just spoken is Captain Staunton, and though his rank does not entitle hint to be entered on our records, Iris merits and services have not been forgot. 'Take t his then as a specimen of much that has oc curred during the campaign in IndiA. In 28 diffe rent actions, the combined troops maintained an equal character and splendour: while from the month of I t Teptember to the following Jine, 120 &ids either besieged or taken or reduced within the thou of the British power. Theo simple much more eloquent of what has occurred, vey a clearer idea of the skill and courage ..._ for their realisation, than any hinginge which. use could ptissibly afford. The origseal the wits Were such as iioOe think. 41VMM* brilliant Winks bothditl6ed bad deManded the iidant4edifinent. of House,- ThPreis holvskier. iiiarbe,* a revered And honoured *tame, ionneeled With these operation,i, whose Mention should not be' omitted; whose pail in the campaign was di* leis ob servable because carried on in a place fit from pub lic gaze, and without the opportunities of early or especial notice; but yet not to be forgotten, when any mention is to be made of extensive knowledge and undaunted courage. The name is that of Co lonel •Manrise—(fiettr, hear, heer)—than whom, Europe never saw a move accomplished Statesman, nor the India service a superior General, fertile as it is, and has been, with superior Officers.— No man knew more of the natives character than the pliant Colonel, nor applied his knowledge to more noble purposes ; and he was pre-eminently Mown for some considerable time by his eminent civil services, his endeavours to re'gulate the public institutions in India, and to provide the means for the sounder esta blishment of the Native Powers. He set out with a force of only 1200 men to take possession of a parti cular post, situated at the Southern extremity of the Mahratta Power. Be travelled through a country hostile in character to the pursuit on which he went, but whose hostility was rendered by far less so, in consequence of his thorough knowledge of the peo- Ipla'shabits, prejudices, and general character. He took ;possession of ten forts, as he marched along ; but so ',great was his mastery over the people's affections, so completely did he win their hearts, and Charm their attention by his manners and his intimate acquaint ance with their hopes, their, fears, and every pre possession, that he not only was enabled to secure and garrison the forts he had just taken, but to re turn with his-little force rather augment ed than de creased by his conquest and exertions.—(Hear, hear.) That speaks more in praise of the Colonel, the gal lant and the veteran Colonel, than praise however studied, or language however so select. But com mon justice to his merits induces me to relate these facts, and the House itself will weigh the consequen; ces that should attach to .them. General Smith, it should be mentioned, is the officer who headed the army against the Peishwa ; and it fortunately fell to his lot to replace the right and legitimate Sovereign on the Throne, long enjoyed by his ancestors, and., of which he wished he should never again be dispostl sessed. In the fluctuation of time, and in the too frequent changes of dynasty which occur in the Eas, tern portion of the world, so far as a prificiple of le gitunitcy un be fairly established % 1 sincerely trust sot only that it will be attended to, but that it will also be long maintained. Perfidious aggression must on our parts be always punished, if we wish the se -curity of our India possessions . ; and it is no inconsi derable happiness to think that we have there restored .`a Power likely to prove not only available to peace, but also to the better security of our own territory.- -,I can say that our enemies have been reduced, I should not wish-to say exterminated, in this campaign. The Governor-General, by a mixture of civil and military skill, has happily brought our foes to a pro, per sense of their unimportance and the futility ot' all future attempts at hostility or aggretsion. The era, blishment of sqch new Powers as may be thought! , prudent in alliance with our Government there, will add strength to our domil;on, and offers the best guarantee of its most permanent security. Our siniatioa, no doubt, is dinicult to maintain, and re trogradation is now become impossible. The result, of the various operations whiCh -I have thus en deavoured to detail was as important as the com mencement of them was justifiable and necessary. In the beginning of this war, the frontier neces sary to be defended extended along our India pos, sessions in a line of not less than 2500 miles.— In consequence of our late successes, and the acqui sitions cured by treaty, as it would appear from the papers upon the table, that frontier is now much ad eanced; but, in proportion as it is advanced it is also narrowed, extending over a space of only 700 miles. I had some doubts whether to reserve for another occasion the statement respecting one of the gallant officers (General Hislop), to whose exertions and ta lents the country is so much, indebted; but it was suggested to me, that it would be better to take the present opportunity of mentipnipg.it, than to he un der the necessity of obtruding myself again. One of the first results of the victory over liolkar, was the issuing of orders for taking possession of some forts south of the Narbuddah. Sir Thomas Hislop re, ceived the Orders, and, by the papers laid upon .the table, the House is now in possession of all the infor, station received by government with respect to the conduct of that gallant offices towards the Governor of Talaier. I Must say, that neither Government nor the Company ;re satisfied with this information on the whole.,( Hear, hear.)—The only proper course that could, under such circumstances, be taken, has been adopted. Directions were sent to the noxernor-General to institute the most diligent in quiry into the business. The inferences to be drawn from the papers already on the table, do not go the length of proving the conduct of Sir Thomas Hislop unjustifiable; on the contrary, the inferences go to justify him. First his character of a British officei, which, independent of the high qualities of the indi vidual himself; must render him singularly abhor rent to cruel stid unjustifiable eonduct. We have, besides, two distinct approbations of the part taken by the gallant officer in the sear, proceeding from the Governor-Generals Duriug the campaign that lid to such splendid results, there were many in, stances in which he proved that he was as willing to blame, where blase was deserved, as to confer praise where it was merited. It would not be treating thel subject fairly, If I did not point out to the House. the degree of justification deducible from the papers already received, and the degree stag wanting.— r When the military dispatches first arrived, they came una.ccoropanied.with any civil details. It is not to be supposed that this transaction at Talniers did not strike me at the tame as one demending consideration and inquiry: I pursued thos only course that was then opeatO me, that of submitting the dispatches to Cio yerlimer.t. From the, hqrry and.. extensive nature of di* gampaigu, it necesssrily followed that ve.tt atter- :no MOALII UHT Giuurraig up .1, - ens were g shasnie were left. la -the correspondence to be atter- the domi- wards supplied, li'etit,suitiug place in so distant a ' facts are 'quariti,,and ammo lui l lely-estended a surface, can- , and con- .uot, until ufter , Astkaose , co* liderahle time, be necessary brought fullyo mittthair ,re Llttons, Wider view. Sick' cut Plant is 4.1t96#041ir GaTette, 0 likutrelrefold 23*ttactut4tviteula*troptassitich took, ~tom its. Flom not lass 4imoiryairiinital 410,4454, tok.is is not the fatilt of the do.einintiti net arrive intoner. The ambition for.aillitert honour* is so great at present, both at hoMe and In India, at to lessen in no small degree the dispatch with which the account of military transactions might be othaf• *se communicated. It is far from my intention to condemn this ambition ; but it is clear that it must produce delay. It is necessary that those trannto. dons for which military honours are demandedi should be given in detail, otherwise there is no ground upon which to rest the application; Suck details, however, require time before they can up pear in the Gazette, Those from India, connected with the late war, were published the moment they arrived, The dispatches from Sir Thomas Hislcp came in August, and the approbation of his conduct by the Marquis of Hastings, on the 27th of Novem ber. It is but just then to presume that there was no ground for blame. Further arrivals are expected. which, we }lave si right to hope, will confirm the justice of the approbation pronounced by the Go vernor-General, After the account of the battle of Maipore was received, there only remained three courses to be pursued, • First to with-hold the remu neration of honour from the army of India for an in definite time. This is .a course which, I believe, no person would recommend. Under the existing cir cumstances it was by no means advisable. The next course was to 'distribute to the army the temunera6 tioni omitting, at the same time, the name of the Commander in Chief. To take such a course, with- out further proof of misconduct than we now have before us, would be most unjust. It would stamp a degree of obloquy on the name of Sir Thomas His lop, which no succeeding document, no subsequent act of this House could by posolbalty rovrinvek The third mode of proceeding was to include his name in the honours voted by Parliament to the army, though Government and the country were yet to be satisfied as to the particular act at Talnier.—(Xeres; , hear.)—l think it right that no qualification to this purpose should appear upon the Journals of the House; though if any other Honourable Gentleman thinks fit to propose a Resolution which may secure the object we have in view, I shall have no objection to support it. To inco:porate it with the vote of thanks would, however, be an unnecessary h arshness, for the vote must be road at the head of every regi. ment in India ; and how painful to the gall4nt offi cer must be, to have his name thus marked with public reprobation ! Were his guilt certain, suOrpu nishment, I admit, would not be too great ; but it would be unjust to inflict it merely upon the ground of the information now before us. I trust, therefore, the House will be satisfied, by shebving itself sensible to what is wanted, and by recording the suspension of its judgment with temp erance and moderation.-- ( Hear, /rear.)—lf any Ilonoui able Gentleman shall think fit to inove a Resolution to this purpose, I shall be the first to endeavour to persuade the House to agree to it."—The SPEAKER then put the question, " That the thanks, of this House be' given to General :he Marquis of Hastings, K. G. and K.G.C., and Governor-Germs-4 of the British Possessions in the East Indies;.for the prompt - At:de and vigilance displayed by him in the overthrow and ittppra:r aims of the Pindarrk,„ and for adopting those skilful and Jeri, sive measures which enabled him to overthrow the Mahrtmt Princes in a campaign marked by the most signal t.td . brii:iaLt successes." Lord MORPETII thonght the conduct of the Marquis of Hastings entitled to the most unqualified apilrobation, and bestowed the highest praise on the whple plan of the campaign, and on the conduct of all 'the Officers of the Indian army. On the policy of the war be declined speaking at present, and be would also reserve the expression of his opinion on the very extensive system of alliance which had been acioptird. and on several other points, till a future occasion. The execution of the Icilledar of Talnier was at present unexplained. Unless he could be re garded as a rebel,_ he knew not on what wend his execution could be justified, as he should have ex pected that he would not be held amenable to us, but that he should rather have been sent before one of Holkar's tribunals. He spoke with pain on this subject, as he agreed with all that had been said in praise of the military services of Sir Thomas Hislop; but these, however great, ought .npt to deter the House from discharging its duty, by inquiring into a transaction so very extracnclinaty in its. nature. He should, therefore, when the proper time came, move a Resolution declaring, That this House, in giving their thanks to Lieutenant-General Sir Thema' I-lislop for his military services, does not intend there by to give any opinion on the execution of the dar of Talnier, respecting which this House is not yet in possession of satisfactory information." He thought it a duty to that part of the army to which they were about to vote their thanks, to the army in general, and above all, to the population of our In dia Empire, to come to a vote like that which he had. suggested. We owed it not only to India, but to the world at large, to uphold those principles of justice and honour which we had hitherto maintain. eel, and to guard against the slightest reproach or suspicion being attached to our condnct. Mr. HOWARTH eulogized the intelligible and excellent speech of the Right Honourable Gentle man, and concurred •in the vote of thanks, to the Marquis of Hastings, for the manner in which he hdd conducted the war to a triumphant conclusion ; but thought the vote ought not to pass the House without some notice being taken ofothe violation of the law which 'had taken place in the extension of our Indian territory, General GROSVENOR spoke In praise of the operations of the campaign; and in particular al luded to the movement on Poonah. He remarked of the 65th Regiment, that it had this peculiarity at tached to it, that three nut of four of its field officers, acting as Brigadier-Generals, Brigadier-General Smith, Brigadier-General Milne, and Brigadier-6e. -neral Fitzsimons, were all acting in the Deccan, Sir ROBERT WILSON wow(' say nothing of the policy of these belligerent, or, as they were ca d, Pensive operations, which had extended our .empire from the shores of the Ocean to the banks of the In slus--which,• in the course of half a century, had raised a small Factory into a mightier Power than Iliad existed for ages. If, however, this s y sterno t ex . tension was persisted in, he hoped Gentlemen !mild took at the map of Asia, where they would bellifiM itn affiful warning, which it needed.not a Daniel to inpbin. With respect to the motion, he, roved of it. The Governor-General • , t . , re, leSnment distinction. Hie laurels „ 'for the 0-atitade of thintaynnianit 'and impact ~'~-- 1 f, I A