The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 25, 1849.

satisfaction that the arisie which had melee& Ys II heir
England had pared away, sad that We sellent demeembh
in eras, without his eariabrise se iffiteepealism, had ese-
usefully weathered the milk alba hook leurels to
dues e. bad already aidger, sad getrestil that all
canes for alarm bad ems& to mist. Lord had died*-
hhed himself* a Wiliest victory, and he Stinky)
knew that it Wail be a swathe of great pleasure sad sales-
faction to the gallant alter who bad responded to the all
of his country by underteldag sa olio, of hasud aad re-
sponsibility to know that Se Indian native may, with
which he was so hmillinft, bad on this merlon so
well maintained its reputation, and was worthy to
be amociated with her Majesty's European troop.
He would be glad to hear that the cup formed
under his own care and superintandence—the Sands Irre-
gular Hone—had stanchly distinguished themselves. (Hear,
bear.) He (Lord Stanley) would not so far impose on the
patience of their lordships as to enter into any details which
would come far better front men of local knowledge and so
acquaint/me with military testis. It would be a satifac-
tion to wee army to know that the vote had met
with no e hem ay member of that house, but that
it had bola ludiEsely, cordially. gran fully, and with-
MA ilkileaklN Means& es them by the unanimous
webs*. lad et the pure and C. 400131111 in parlia-
ment may/, (Ohara) Ha begged to sumps that the
weeds tweeds- disanstienee be added to the melon. (Hear.)
The led of GALLOWAY concurred in the notion, and
=tad that a day should be set span for public totem.
Tbe Duke of WELLINGTON said—My lords, Ido set
Alan to the polarities of the noble earl who hu just est
deem, but that is not exactly the subject sow before yeer
lordships. The object of our being summoned here to-day
is to take into co ...maticp • vote of thanks to the army in
India. I (slimly cones? la the sppobstion expressed be
the noble marquis who made the notice, and by my noble
friend who mended it. It lute fallen to my lot to bays to
consider the peat difficulties under which the war has been
meditated, and, say lords, I must say that in no ease have I
had stronger reran to applaud the conduct of any to than I
have the behaviour of those who have been engaged .la CV,
rying out the operations with respect to which it sow de-
wives upon your lordships to express your approbation. The
war only originated in the extraordinary perfidy of the ser-
vants and °Seen of the Lahore government. The Governor-
General of India, being under a treaty the gnardian of the
infant Rajah of the Parjaub, wee ;bound by the treaty to
control the acts of hie govemmeat, and to give leis 'statues
in caning out its operations. My lords, all the servants of
this government betayed their trusts. Moolrai, the gover-
nor °Marmites and all the country rabiest to that fortes.,
betrayed his teem and refused to deliver his command
to the offer seat to relieve him. He also murdered
the two gentlemen sent by the British resident in order to
superintend the delivery of the fortress to the officer selected
by the rajah ander the guidance of the British resident to
take the command. This act of treachery sad insubordiza-
dos was followed by the revolt of the whole country; cad,
my lords, it was followed by degrees, one after another, by
treacherous revolt and insurrection in all parts of the coun-
try—by the revolt of not less than' three other fortruess, all
refilling to obe the orders of the government, and leading
to an . And this, my lords, was at a someone( the
year when it was impmellato bring into the field European
troops—when it was hardly possible to keep native officers In
the field. By every care and attention on the part of the go
earner-general and officers of the government, the comma-
der- in-chief and militaryoffisers.bodies Omen were by degrees
collected. A force attended and equipped by heavy. artillery
was sent to Moulton, which was immediately invested;
another force was sent to aid sad support the garrison in
Lahore and other place, within the Sikh territory under the
Meaty. My lord., the siege could not be commdnoed until the
month of September, and, notwithstanding the =ardor of
the two gentlemen on the 19th of April, the ground was
oaly Woken on the 7th of September. On the 14th of that
month, after randeerable progress bed been made a gallant
attack took place for the purpose of lodging the t!roops in a
certain part of the town, m order that they might carry on
the siege with advantage. It was found necessary to
raise the siege, and order the army into a certain district
until reinforcement' could arrive, because the Sikh army
under Shire Singh revolted and went over to the enemy.
The siege was raised on the 14th of September; bat, is the
meantime, the care of the governor-general had provided
=mores for Winging troops from all parts of the empire for
the pacification of the country, which was in a state of in-
surection. A force, sent from Bombay, land Dundee.arts-
thee and marched for Moultan under General On
the 26th of September, the very day after this force arrived,
the city was attacked by General Which with the assistance
of the troops under General Dundee, and in the attack width,
took place these llembry troops muted some 'of the works
which defended the city of Meehan, and took possession
of certain parts of the teens. I mention this circumstance
in order to induce your lordships to vote to General Dundee
your thanks for the capture of Moultan. The troops under
his command were brought to the siege after such • musk
m that from Kurrachee to Moultan, ia the vary worst season
elite year, and they arrived in such a state that they cased
be pea In line on the following morning. This is one
of the most remarkable and creditable ciecamstaeoes la
dew operations. (Hear, hear.) My lords, while the
siege was gang on, the governor-general with the aid of
the commander-In-thief had formed a corps to cover end
protect the operation of the besieging army, to keep the
emery 'u far 'so:possible in a state of tranquillity, and to
observe the movements of the large bodies of troops whisk
were collected in front, and to prevent them from &stub- I
te. the operations of the riege. The emenmender-in-thisf,
Load Gough, was at the head of this covering army. He
had =adorn to fight two actions to which the noble marquis
bee adverted, and had uniform success: In each of; them.
It is true that in some of these actions great lees was sae-
Miami ; but, my lord., when it is recollected that this strong
=as taken without loss, being captured when the
were t pored, and the stormiug pity were prepared
kr dray, I think we nay set down that upon the whole the
wise hes been effective with u small a loss as could te
apnea under the circumstances. (Hear, hear.) My lord?,
after the siege of Moult= the army which had been
Gamed la it was put in march to join the
army which, under the command of Lord Gough, bad
been covering the operations of the siege. It made
forced marches, and joined Lord Gough's army at the very
seement when the position bad become of the utmost impor-
tune; en the very day previous to that on which a battle
was to be foe ht, and, as was stated by the noble marquis,
ea the following morning the troops were in euch a state as
to be &de to e their station in line against the enemy, and
to distinguish themselves in action. I cannot but think that
Genendßliisit and the officers who assisted him on that
occasion, are highly deserving of your lordship' commenda-
tion. (Chews.) My lords, it was In the course of the
which were caked on with a view of coveringriltlis
siege and keeping the country in a state of tranquillity,
that a circumstance occurred why* has led to an imputation
being east upon a corps which was engaged.. It is impossible
to explain to your lordships the variety of circum-
stances which may occasion difficulties in the opera-
tions of a particular corps at a particular moment.
(II- ar, bear.) But inquiries have been made into the cir-
eamstanees of this case, and I have seen the reports which
have been made. It happened that this cavalry corps war
planted over a country which was yell much broken by
ravines and by rough jungle, which rendered it impossible
for the troops to serve in the ouzel and regular order. It
happened that the officer commanding the brigade el which
this mops formed a part was badly wounded it the head
durum*. advance, and that the offioer next in command
=ta distance, was not aware of the fact teat his com
officer had been obliged to withdraw from the
field. Under these circumstances, a word of command was
given by some person not authcrised, of the origin of which
no trace can be found. Same confusion occurred which,
ander the circumstances, and amidst what was going on at
the time, could not he easily remedied - bat it was remedied
at lot, and the corps get into order, and it has since
performed its duty. Many whom I see around
ma have seen the mime corps perform it on other
oesesions (cheers); and I have no doubt it will per-
hem its daty on all Ren
future occasions. ewed cheers.)
My lords, these things will happen, and (we whose fortune it
has bees to as such transactions, judging of them with that
calmness which is, I am sure, felt by all your lordships, we
feel that the character of a corps must not be taken from
scrape in the newspaper (hear), but must be found in the
reports of the chiefs, and in the result of bookies made in
oomesquenee of these imputations and fabrications. (Hear,
Mar.) All that Lord Gough says on this subject is, that a
ado movement wee made—a movement in retreat instead of
a movement in advance; but, my lords, I venture to say
this he, like myself, will think that it was owing to one of
I then 'circumstances which must happen octagonally, and
that the corps was as worthy of confidence then as it has
been since, and as I hope it will always continue to be in
Norm. (Cheers.) My lords. I entirely concur in the
approbation which the noble marquis has expressed
of the conduct of M..j or Edwards!, and of other
officers of the same rank, in the course of these
transactions. These offiene were employed under the
Resident at Lahore in the levying of certain disbanded
soldiers in the late Sikh army, to aid in the defence of the
Rajah's govenusent, and if poesible to preserve tranquillity
ia the country. (Hear, hear.) I am happy to say that not
oily did they perform that duty with advantage to the
public and with credit to them/elm, but they have lessor-
Wiped themselves by their conduct. (Cheer/4 It is im-
possible to speak too tinkly of Maj or Ildwardes and the other
gentlemen who were engaged in this service. My lords, I
also beg to draw your attention particularly to that corps
which has been mentioned by my noble friend who sits near
me, the Blade corp. This is a corps which was relied in
&dude under the superintendence of my pliant friend, who
war lately sent by the East India Company to take the coon
mand of the army in India, Sir Charles Napier. (Hear,
beer.) This corps cannot have been raised more than
two or three years, and yet in this greet battle against
the cavalry of the Sikhs and Afghans,--• cavalry
by no means to be desplied—it has dietinguished itself
biably. (Hear, bear.) My lords, these are the circum-
stances in which the officers were placed. They were under
the necessity of training the native troops to arms,
sad of disciplining them in the European mode contrary
to their manners, their endears, and their prejudices, and
they succeeded in bringing them into such a state of discipline
that they would follow them any where, and they could rely
with confidences on their licbaving in the mat pliant
manner. lam aware that this Made corps had before par-
fumed meet important genius under Sir Charles Napier
is the pasiikeitica of kinds • bat I was not aware until I
my the ammo in the report of this action, that they
could safely be put in line to attack the formidable
malty of the B.khe and the Alfghans. (Heat, hear.)
My lords, I am much edited to you for listening, to me
with so much attention. I will only add that I aes con-
eliond that the unanimous vote of this holm will be grate-
, fully felt by the army which fought this action; and that I
I agree with the noble marquis who proposed the suedes that
they are highly deserving of your lordships' corn:binds-
Lion. (Hear, hear.) •

The Duke of RICHMOND thanked the noble duke for
speaking as handsomely In favour of the 14th, whiels was as
Igallant a regtment es any Lathe Demise, sad which had diode-
imbed itself en many °academe. He also expressed his gva
tYeatssa -
at seeing solafte a oeamense of their lordships then
preseat--that large attendance could not but enhances the
volts elitheir vote of thanks to the amp in India.
Viscount HARDINGE could not avoid offering on that
eeeedl kis media congratulations to his noble Irked Lord
and his Imam compaions is arms in Wept
resell the
peak
of the operations the issue of whisk Yes bed
never for a loosest doubted. (Caistinibeez2. Lord Goo* heldal
with the liberality which him, seated la hie
despatches that the artillery was chief mesas
the victory. That arm wasnest admirably iesednelegassa!
efficiently that, as appeared from the aeeoents of the
although the Sikh artillery was fought as usual with the
greaten bravery, the result wee that only two regiments of
European and four of native infantry fired a shoC
against the emu. (Hear hear.) That fact was
most creditable to the MOW; of the ladies army, which
had ea this ormesien bees tutrumicatal in obtaining for Lord
Gough one of his best wad meat eylesdid vetted's. (Har,
hear.) It was elated by his lordship, in his despatch, that
the heavy satMoeyo the Sutl
lt-pounden—were actually moved with
the celerity of field-guns. In the campaign a
he (Viscount Herding.) had seen two elephants harnessed to
Iglessaders, angina them over the ground with the great-
est theility, regardless of the stallehe and ditches whioh
homed impediments to their progress. Such gans were
Meet up from Delhi in that meaner—a diseases of 350
nelhe—in the years 1845 and ISO, and no delay was caused
ill the treou on the march. He believed that that was the
first time that ever such a thing was witnessed. Having n-
asally had such a convincing proof of the value of the
laminable arm of the service, be crested that her Majesty's
novernment would not allow Wale weakens d.When the recent
issurrectios broke out there were in the preddency of Ben-
gal alone no less than 200 pieces, and all that was cecessary
bring them into service, was to provide cattle for their
to
rensoveL That state of readiness ha very much admired, and
he truated,end be hoped they would not see any reduction
in that noble arm. If the advice of the Master General of
the Ordnance were taken, her Majesty's goverment
would not allow its moans of usefulness to he
diminished. (Hear, hear.) Me had heard with great
pleasure what had fallen from the noble marquis with
re
gard to Major Edwardes. He had the happiness of lOW
veering with MajortEdwarles in India, end bad toad lie a
most able and intelligent young man. Oa the eisteden
hs
question he had under his command an irregular hems of
dines or twelve thousand men whom he kept together in
the mat useful maser. In a letter which be bat received
filla him. wilt taw true frankness and cordiality of a Meier
whoimpressed WNW most anxious that his brother einem
lad participated with him in hie duties should bees
their names mentioned ; mentioning particularly Lista
Blake, Lieut. Pollard, and Lieut. Nicholson. Other odium
might be named; but he (Viseount Hardinge) would
declare generally, that no service in the world per
seined more able and active officers than the young men who
were sent out to engage in the service of the Best India
Compeny. With regard to the circumstances stated by the
noble duke in reference to the Light D
he had heard with the greatest pleasure the nobleraran
just vindication of that corr. He had seen them engaged
on former occasions in the Peninsula, where they always
had the highest reputation for courage. On this last cicada
they were placed in difficult circumstances, as had already
been sufficiently explained ; but he was convinced that there
would be nothing to hurt the reputation of the corps when
the explanations were made known. (Cheers.) He must
also observe that his noble friend, Lord Gough, distinguish-
ing the different officen who in this lest action acted under
his orders, stated that the corps under the command of Mel.-
Gen. Oilberthad been ordered to advance across the Jhelum
to undertake the operations against the remaining portion of
the Sikh army: He was most happy to learn that fact.
(Cheers.) Major-General Gilbert is a highly efficient officer.
He (Viscount Harding.) bad en many °cessions
witnessed his cool judgment and his gnat in-
trepidity, and he war convinced that under his
management nothing would be omitted which was necessary
to secure a successful hone. lie also concurred in the noble
marquis's observations with respect to the extraordinary
alliance and conjunction between the Affghaus and the Sikhs
in the late insurrection. It was, as the noble marquis had
stated, one of the most extraordinary features in the Msgr.
rection. The Affghans and the Sikes were not only of
different religions and of rival races, but they had for a cen-
tury always exhibited an inveterate hatred towards each
other. The recent alliance between them was, therefore, a
matter of the greatest interest. He had no doubt, however,
that Major General Gilbert would drive the Affghans beyond
the Khyber Pam, or that this great action of Lord Gough's
had entirely destroyed and broken the neck of the insures°.
don. He would not trouble the house with any further ob-
somations after those of the noble duke whom praise the
adds marquis j'ustly said was more valued' by the army than
anted any other military anthovity. He would only add
thin Lord Gough having, during • lug military life, com-
mencing in the Peninsula, where he commended the 87th
regiment, greatly ellstinguished himself, this would be the
fourth occasion of his receiving the thanks of parliament
for his distinguished services as • general commanding her
Majesty's anuses and those of the East India C 'many in
the field, and when he returned to this country and entered
that house, his noble friend would have the aandactim of
feeling that he bad in his last and most brilliant doom
readered invaluable eervice to his sovereign and his country.
(Cheep.)
The Earl if ELLENBOROUGH said his noble friend had
truly observed that a few words of discriminating approba-
tion from the noble duke were as much valued by the army
as the strongest complements from other sources. The
Indian army had that night had the good fortune to receive
such approbation and it only remained for him
(the Earl of Edenborough) to express the extreme
gratification with which he witnessed the unanimity
oldish lordships in reference to the section. The campaign
had mg been one either of ordinary duration or of ordinary
eillosthy. It had not been a campaign consisting of a few
einedues, torminaticg in a aucoeesful battle, but cue extend-
ing over nine months, during six or seven of which a large
potion of the army was almost daily in the presence of the
=
; and scope had been afforded for the display of even
of military science. In that campsign the troops had
had all the instruction which could be necessary to Testify
them for the greatest operations of war; and it was to him-
self, he confessed, most satisfactory that a success so brilliant
and decisive as that of Goojerat should have come to gild the
concluding service of his friend Lord Gough. (Cheers.)
He had the gratification of being acquainted with that noble
lord; and though it was not for him to sty anyth:ng with
respect to the ability which he tad manifested in the
conduct of the campaign or in the field of battle,
yet he might express his admiration for many of these
itarqualities which even a eivilien could appre-
mdialteilor that constant courage which, on all occesioas, made
Lord Gough the first soldier in his army ; and, above all, for
what he had himself often witnessed, his attention to the
sick and wounded in hospital, and the canstant care and at-
tention which he at all times paid to the comfort and the
health of his troops. (Chan) It was most just to sue.
data with Lord Gough, the commander-in-chief, the Earl at
Dalhousie, the governor-general. It was for the cemmander-
la-chief to direct operations in the presence of the enemy i
but it was for the governor-general to promise from all pule
of the empire the means by which victory was to be achieved,'
to. concentrate the military stealth, and to provide the fares'
in the field with all the munitions a war, and it was impos-
sible not to see that the duty of the governor-general had been
most perfectly performed. (Cheers,) His coble friend, the
'minder of the motion, had expressed a hope that it war the
last cassia on which they would be called upon to thank
general often and soldiers for a great victory obtained on
the field of battle. He (Lord Ellenborough) entertained the
same anxious wish. (Neer, hear.) He would say nothing
of the past. He would not began* how far, under the last
treaty with Inhere, it might have been pcesible to prevent
the growing up of a numerous, well appointed, well disci-
plined, well provided arm y of Sikhs capable of contending
with us in the fields of the Panjaub, in doubtful contest, and
without suffering from us an ignominious defeat. But this
he did say with emfidence, that, after the experience which
they had had, it would be the most utter and shameless
'fatuity to plus trust hereafter in Sikh troops or in Sikh
chief:. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that the government would
net amen permit the consolidation of hold'. strength pable
oft duo contending with us. Let the surviving relacatives of
thus who had fallen in the late war have at least this
comeeletion, that the blood of their departed rela-
tives bed not been shed in vain, that they had
fillet net It for their own and their country's glory,
but kr the consolidation of our empire in India. (Cheers.)
Thai pailtion was by this victory altogether changed.
Hitherto they had undoubtedly been for many years the
predominant power in India. But there still remained a
numerous and powerful army with a well-served artillery,
Ada was capable of contending with them for empire.
That army existed no more. In the whole country watered
by the Ganges and the Indus, and their tributary streams,
they stood alone—the sole military power, capable of upWd-
'
Ig In all things by their own single strength. But they had
great responsibilities attached to that condition. It was
sot without its dengen—different, perhaps, in character, but
am gnat in their as those which had cessupied them
lanuadiessionts=lonnogtparid fgrassamount
anto
thoseans
y wdanwPrechgenisilinthbeyylrhlinadt PAidlyt:"pekermi.
ittiu(blidililedthr.e);
let OM net by pusillanimity in their councils deprive them-
mime of the advantages of their victories in the field ; let I
that not have again to contend for that dominion which
they had twice before won ; and in that contest let them not
have to risk, as they had done, their present position and
their empire in the East. (Cheers.)
The Earl of WALDEGRAVE begged to express his
entire concurrence as a member of the deter profession in the
vote of thanks.
The motion was then unanimously agreed to.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the reason why
the name of Brigadier General Dundee was not mentioned
was, he did not hold the fall rank of brigadier-general.
He only held the rank of colonel, and it was not usual
on these occasions to mention them by name in the vote at
thanks.
The Duke of WELLINGTON said he was not aware of
the circumstance.
The:r lordshipe then adjourned at half-past seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—ThrsDAT, Aram 24.
The BMX.= took the chair at 4 o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
REPORT CONSIDERED.— Newcastle and Carlisle
Railway (alterations of, and branch from Alston branch;
Bill.

PUBLIC BUSINESS.
PETITIONS.—By Mr. HENRY, front the inhabitants
of Littleborongb, in Lancaahire ; from the inhabitants of
Cheethanphill, near Manchester; and from the minister
and congregation of the Wesleyan chapel in Southport, Len-