The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-03 00:00:00

et the enemy's army formed two sides of a right-
angled triangle," Sir Henry Smith being placed between
them on the shorter line. 1 will make the matter more
clear by reading an extract from his dispatches.—(hear,
hear.)—He says, " the enemy thus had ran encortipestai
with a powerful force, and I,y therefore, gradually with-
drew my infantry and cavalry in the direction of Loo-
dianah, in the liven time exp, cling to see the approach
of that force of the army, being one regiment of cavalry
and four regitn,nts of infantry." That was the force at
Looodie.nah. They then made a vigorous attack-. The
grour.d was very sandy, and therefore difficult to
1130;ve in. " The enemy," he says, " moved on me in
the neighbourhood of Loodianeb, but my wing moved
'with as much steadiness with the cannonade as if they
were on parade— (Cheers)—native as well as British."
(Loud cheers.) The movements of the cavalry were
under Brigadier Cureton.—(Cheers.) Ile said, "It
was the most pi,rfect thing I ever saw, end one
which I could not expect."—(flear, hear) Now, Sir,
difficulties were such that it is plain that the successful
termination is to be attributed to the sl::11, valour, arid
high character of this commander.—(Cheers.) It was
necessary that all his energies should be used, and he
has proved, by his use of those energies, how
faithfully he has served his country—nothing
could make him despond.—(Loud cheers.) Sir,
of the battle itself I will not speak. The victory
was complete. It is so well described by the Gallant
Commander that I will not go further into it. Arad, Sir,
Want have been the services of that Gallant Officer ?
These events add a new lustre to his narne.—(Cheers:j
Ile was at the capture of Monte Video. He
-was at the capture—at the attack that was
made on Buenos Ayres. He servCal in the Penin-
sular war ; he was at the battle of Vimiera.
and at the battle of Comma, Tie was at the action of
Ciudad Roderigo. and at Torres Vedras. He was at the
battle of Salamanca, and at the battle of Vittoria. He
was at the battle of the Pyrenees, the battle of Toulouse ;
Le was at New Orleans, and at Waterloo.—(Cheers.)
Sir, what a series of gallant services—(Cheers)—
and how rejoiced I am to find that there should
be an opportunity through these signal services,
of bringing before the view of a grateful
country a long life of military exertions such as these.
After he had achieved that signal success, for which we
are about to give 'aim our especial tha.uks—after he had
driven back the enemy across the river, he instantly re-
turned to join his commanding Officer, Sir Hugh Gough.
He arrived on the Bth, two days before the signal
victory was gained under Sir Hugh Gough, and
Sir 'Henry Hardinge. For his services, for the victory
Which he gained on the 28th, I propose that there should
be a distinct and separate vote, and that there should
be another vote for the other, not more glorious, perhaps,
but more important victory which he afterwards gained.
But, Sir, again I will not weaken the effect which the
recital of that victory, as detailed in the dispatch of the
gallant officer by whom they are written, by any
attempt to detail their contents. But I will say this of
the fellow-countrymen of the Generals of that gallant
army—l will do them the justice to say, that they
are familiar with them.—(Cheers.) Sir, it is right at the
time to do justice to the bravery of the enemy with
whom we had t') c witend. After the successes gained
over them on Dec. 18 and 21, they had so far recovered
that undaunted courage which had distinguished
them as to come again into the field, and to expose them.
selves again to the force of the British army. Sir Henry
Hardinge, speaking of them, says—" Such was the
bravery of the enemy, that they took the bridge which
they had formed, and in the m iddle of the river disdained to
seek for quarter." Sir, I will not enter into details of the
battles on the tenth. The House is aware that our gallant
army obtained a complete and eiiinal victory over
the Seikhs whose loss was eitormous—that after the ex-
hibition of great talents they were driven across the
Sutlej in great numbers, and that the British
army, crossing at places lower down the Sutl -j,
and crossing at the point at which the battle was fought,
united with the forces which had so crossed, and marched
towards the capital of the Seikh territory. Sir, thus in
a period not exceeding seven weeks, from the day
San which the incursion was made into our
territory, the enemy have been signally defeated
in every action in which they encountered. In every
action the British were successful. In those engage-
ments not more than one-third of the forces were
Europeans, but the example they set was worthily fol-
lowed by the native troops. Four ‘ticeeseive deseera'e
battles have been fought in which the British name hai been
sustained by the commanders and men of every regiment—
(Cheers)—and without any imputation on the British arms.
We were not influenced by any grasping desire. The attack
was made upon us in a time of profoued peace. Those who
took no part in the engagements have, since the defeat of their
enuntrymen, frankly admitted what was the object which they
had in vie* ; they thought that they could overthrow the
British army in consequenee of their artillery, and formidable
infantry and cavalry. They expected to be enabled to over-
come the two detachments of the British force which were sta-
tioned at the two extremes of the line —Ferozepore and Loo-
dianah--and having overpowered them, to have been en-
abled to march into Delhi, and than a successful attack wonid
have shook the allegiance of the Indian soldiers and our own
European troops. That was the object they had in view.
There was no breach of truce, but they admitted that if they
were defeated by the British, that they would receive con-
solation, because their army was mutinous, and that they should
toot regret their dispersion and annihilation by the British.
Sir, for successes so gained, in consequence of conflicts so
boldly conducted, I cannot doubt there will be au universal
expression of gratitude on the part of this Honse.—
(Cheers) There is nothing, Sir, to sully the glories of those
victories. I do hope that that which has been effected will
long be a state of quiet and peace. There will be, as the re-
sult, a general conviction of our power—a conviction of the
superiority of the British arms that will assure us a long en-
joyment of that state in that country, and the application of
all our efforts to the improvement of the native resources of
India. —(Hear, hear.) Anticipating that this may be the
last war—hoping that it may be so, and that we may now
direct our attention towards the improvement of the resources
of that country—in that anticipation this House will, lam
sure, refer to some events and some circumstances which may
fill the heart of every subject with joy and gratitude.--
(Cheers.) Sir, the two commanders of that army, the
Governor-General of India and the Commander-in-Chief,
have, through these operations, set the example of
cordial concert and harmony.—(Hear.) There was an
entire forgetfulness of themselves.—(Cheers.) And it is this
circumstance which has greatly contributed to these successful
and glorious results.—( Cheers.) All punctillios were sacri-
ficed.—(Cheers.) Sir Henry Hardinge consented to serve as
second in command.—(Cheers.) There was not a suggestion
offered by Sir Henry Hardinge which was not joyfully accepted
by the Commander-in-Chief. Sir, anticipating that this may
be the last occasion upon which I shall have to perform even
the gratifying duty of proposing a vote of thanks, and return-
ing public acknowledgments for victories in India, and a public
expression of my admiration of the bravery and gallantry of our
India army, I will, with the permission of the House, refer to
some documents. Since I entered this House I have had put
into my hands a letter from Sir H. Gough to a private friend,
which was never intended to meet the public eye, but which
does him so much honour that I am sure the House will permit
Me to read it. He says—
" It is now with pride and with pleasure I inclose you a
copy of my dispatch, detailing one of the most splendid and
decisive victories upon record—the Waterloo of India. I
have entered so fully both into detail and commendation
in my dispatch to the Governor-General, that it would
be impossible for me to enlarge upon a subject embrac-
ing the warmest feelings of my heart. Policy, however,
precluded me publicly recording t.
my sentiments on .e
splendid gallantry of our fallen ft or to retard the acts of
heroism displayed, not only individually, but almost collec-
tively, by the Seikh Sirdars and army ; and I declare, were
it not from ade conviction that my country's got re-
quired the sacrifice, idceould have wept to have witnessed the
fearful slaughter of so
military
a.body of nien.—(Loud cheers.)
Never, in thbeepewag.e osfignalltyrrytmhi;iory, has the hand of an All-
theßeing
eets,ted ; to Him, therefore, be
gloryi we, as his instrurm"
eats, feel the prides.—(Loud
cheers. ) But I cannot pass over
too strongly record—
facts which, whilst :they add lustre tnontlseni,:atlive army, afford
as its head, inexpressible pride pleasure —(Loud
to me,
oarmies were
- cheers.) For upwards of a month, when the
men of their own colour
in close front of one another, notwi.hstanding the numerous
temptations held out to our sepoys by
and religion, namely, greatly increased pay, from
7 to V' ru-
pees a month, and immediate promotion, I had but three deser-
tions from this large force.— (Continued cheers.) Nor should
I omit to mention, as a proof of the high state of discipline of
this splendid army, that trade has been carried on unreservedly
since we crossed the Sutlej in the several Seikh towns
around which our divisions hare been necessarily placed
for the procurance of water, and the same confidence has
been shown as though we were in one of our longd-
established, provinces."—(Loud cheers.) Sir, continued
the Right Hon. Baronet, the example set by these gallant
officers, who thought not of their personal interest or safety,
but whose thoughts were exclusively directed to their coun-
try's honour and the safety of the army, demands the highest
admiration.—(Loud cheers.) Sir Hugh Gough, in speak-
ing of a young officer, relates acts of devotion, which
I am proud, through the medium of the British House
of Commons, to publish to the world.—( Hear, hear. )
Sir, while we are awarding that praise, let us not forget the
example set by that Commander-in-Chief, who thinks fit se to
praise those under his command.—( Cheers.) On all occasions
there was the most perfect understanding and discipline oh-
served ; and it was that example, no doubt, that influenced the
conduct of the men acting under their command. lam sure,
Sir, the House will permit me, whilst giving utterance to these
expressions of gratitude, to mingle my feelings of deep regret
at the loss, the serious and sorrowful loss, that has been sus-
tained.—(Hear, hear. ) I had on a former occasion to lament,
and enlist the sympathy of this House, when referring to the
memory of the gallant General Sale, who was known to most
of us, and not alone known, but admired and beloved—( Hear,
bear)—and now, Sir, I have to lament the loss of several
officers of the most gallant bravery. The first I will name is
Sir Robert Dick, an officer long distinguished for his great
personal bravery.—(Hear, hear.) He entered the service in
1802, accompanied the army to India in 1807, where he was
present at the taking of Moodkee. In 1809 he accompanied
the Peninsular expedition, and commanded the second batta-
lion of the 42d Regiment, during the siege of Cuidad Rode-
rigo. He was also present at the battle of Salamanca, where he
likewise commanded a battalion of the 42d Regiment ; but at
length he has fallen, bravely fallen. On the same day fell
another gallant officer,Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, son of
Lieutenant-Colonel
__Taylor, of the 20th Light Dragoons, who
also fell gloriously. —(Hear, and cheers.) Alas, Sir, how
many there are there, who, in these brilliant victories, have
lost friends and relatives, with whom almost their lives were
bound up. almost
i daily it is my lot to meet with
one. a Noble rdw o had the misfortune to lose a gal-
lant son—l alleodre Lordatoganan Fitzroy Somerset, who has to de-
plore the loss
man, who, had he lived,
would have supportea the gallant
rgof his father's name. Sir,
I wish I could do justice own feelings, by naming
many of the illustrious men wohomhyai,ietdistinguished themselves
in this glorious victory, but the is so great—( Hear)--
that I should prefer the injury of 'o
altogether
rather than read the entire list to themhillaloinnsge.theSmir, when I
es_taken a distin-
view the names of those who
gnished part in these single victorie
hear)—
murtaith satisfac-
the names of Sir Henry Smith_jiheean I see
of General Packe, and many others, I recollect
creden-
tials that those illustrious men received their
tials under the auspices of the Duke of Wellington,—ria
Sir, it does add, in my opinion, a new lustre to his P.)
immor-
tal renown—(Cheers)—to see men who have been brought
in his school, and who have profited by his experience.—(Hea,
hear.) Sir, I would speak with equal praise of those wh,
have no+- had the immediate hem fit of having served under him.°
Those offieers in the Company's service who may not have
been brought up under the immediate command of the WO' of
Wellington, have still had an Opportunity of 'ing be the
memory of the victories which he achieved in India --(Hear,
hear.) At d when they have witnessed the victories of the
battle of the Shtleis they will recollects lesson that wee taught

by men who had served immediately under the Duke of Wel-
lington; and, therefore, though they have not served immedi-
ately under the Duke of Wellington, they have still had the
benefit. of his experience. In the battle of Assaye, the ex-
ample of his reoderation—his valour and devotion to the inte-
rest of his country—his regard for all, whetl-,er European or
otherwise, is one. which is worthy of emulation. It is possible
at this moment—indeed it is more than probable—that the
Noble Duke of Wellington has reserved fur him in
another place an opportunity of bearing his grateful and wil-
hng testimony to the merits of those gallant
men. It will be his consolation that, through his example of
valour and military skill, his patriotism, and his devotedness to
the interests /of his country, even when we shall have lost
him in the ordinary course of nature, will be imitated by brave
and worthy men, capable, like him, of maintaining the honotar
and reputation of the country. These men will be the bul-
warks which will never fail us against our enemies, and who
will always, like the Duke of Wellington, be prepared to make
every effort in a just cause, and yet to set so glorious an
example of torbeatance, enduring valour, and desperate and
reckless courage, when circumstances of a desperate nature
require the exhibition of such a quality. And I hope, that
through a succession of men whose principles are formed In
such a school, this example will descend to posterity, and
in a righteous cause render this great and glorious country lm-
pregnable against the assault of an enemy. I must now cep,
elude by moving that the thanks of this House be to Sir
Henry Sa.ith, and to the troops underr kis e..-.,inmand.
Sir JOHN CAM HOBHOU't said that he considered it
a very great distinction to permitted to second the motion
of the Right Hon .ronet, and he assured the House that, after
the able affecting appeal made by the Right Hon. Gentle-
it would be superfluous in him to do more than in a very
few worsts explain what the House had to consider when
it paid this tribute to the Gallant General t,nd the
troops under his command. General Smith, as the Right
Hon. Baronet said, had, by this action, maintained the
glory and character of this country, and by this great achieve-
ment had contributed to the subsequent success which is to
form the subject of a second motion for a vote of thanks this
evening by the Right Hon. Baronet. He would take the
libe?ty to observe, that never in the annals of Parliament was

it the good fortune of a Minister to propose two votes of
thanks on the same evening on two such splendid victories as
the present. While that Gallant Officer spoke of the deed; of
those who were under him, he made no allusion to his own
exploits, thereby showing that his modesty was equal to his
vaitittr. It was, as the Right Hon. Baronet had stated, in
his right band he held the sword, and with the same hand he
also held the pen. As was said of a great character of
antiquity—

"‘ Eadem animo scripsit quo bellavit."
Allusion had been made to the Governor-General, and perhaps
he (Sir J. Hobhouse) might be excused for saying a few words
with respect to that Right Hon. Gentleman. It was a great
consolation to the Members of that House to dwell over the
statement of the Right Hon. Baronet with respect to the Go-
vernor-General. They had mingled with him in discussion,
and he had won the esteem—however, he might have differed
with them in opinion—of those with whom he had, happily for
them, ever come in contact. There was something like
Roman grandeur in that Right Hon. Gentleman step-
ping from the floor of that House to command great
and mighty armies, and performing deeds which were
sufficient for a life, and to immortalise any man.
Sir Henry Hardinge, from the 17th December up to the time
they were speaking, had performed exploits and achieved con-
quests that would illustrate the life of any commander. —( Hear. )
He hoped, with the Right lion. Gentleman, that this might
be the last triumph which they should have to record. He
could nut help concluding by saying, whether it was the last or
not, they should still remember with gratitude and pride that
an officer so well known for his abilities in that House was
equally distinguished in the field, ani that he more than up-
held the renown which he previously obtained. He most
cheerfully seconded the motion of the Right Hon. Baronet.
The SPEAKER then read the resolutions, which will be
found in another column, under the head Parliamentary
bu.iness.

Mr. C. RUSSELL said the House would remember that
on the last occasion the House passed a vete of thanks to the
army in India for the victories at Moodkee and Ferozeshali,
a petition was presented by the Hon. Member for Durham
(Mr. Bight) from the town which he (Jlr. Russell) had
the honour to represent—Reading—and that a very just
rebuke was contained in that petition on the Right Hon.
Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government. He had
received a request from the inabo ants of that borough, through
its mayor and magistrates, that he would express their regret,
and he might add their shame, that such a petition should have
been presented, and the as-umpti,m that it emanated from
them They had easefully examined that petition, and found
attached to it the names of many women and school children,
together with the names of many persons who were hardly able
to write; and besides, several of the signatures were for.zed,
and many of those whose names were attached to the petition
had indignantly denied that they had signed them, showing
that this was another instance of palming fraudulent petitions
on the House.—(Cries of "Oh ! oh I") He had been re-
quested to discharge a duty imposed upon him by his constitu-
ents, and he trusted the House would allow him to do so. He
had been requested to state that there was no town in her Ma-
jesty's dominions more cordially rejoiced at the victories
achieved by our arms in India, and more desirous to concur in
a tribute of praise to the gallant troops by whom those victories
were obtained. It would be presumptuous in him to attempt
to swell the just panegyric which had been passed on the gallant
army in India. He had held a commission in that army for
many years.
Sir ROBERT INGLIS entirely agreed with the latter
part of the speech which his Hon. Friend had just delivered.
He congratulated the Hight. Hon. Baronet on the opening por-
tion of the dispatches, which ascribed to Him to whom alone
praise is due, the glorious result of our arms. He wished to
follow up the opening remarks of the Right Hon. Baronet,
and especially to call attention to the dispatches of Sir Hugh
Gough. The Hon. Baronet then briefly alluded to the dis-
patches which had been transmitted after the victories of Blen-

beim, the Nola, and Trafalgar, which all equally acknowledged
the interference of a superintending Providence in obtaining
the victory, and the Right Hon. Gentleman instituted a com-
parison between those dispatches and a recent dispatch of Sir
H. Gough.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL would take this opportunity of
expressing his cordial co operation in the vote of thanks which
had been proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman. He had
never known an instance where a vote of thanks had been pro-
posed with greater feeling than had been evinced by the
Right Honourable Gentleman on the present occasion.
Perhaps he might be permitted to say there was no person
connected with Sir Henry Hardinge, either by political ties or
private friendship, who could feel greater gratification than he
did at the issue of the recent transactions, and the high honour
which he had obtained. Let him say further, with respect to
Sir Hugh Gough, that he was glad to see a native of Ireland
add another laurel to the wreath which Irishmen had wrought.
He felt great satisfaction at the glory which the British arms
had obtained ; their achievements had been altogether un-
equalled. The disordered state of the Punjaub rendered it
necessary for a prompt interference of the British army.
From the manner in which Sir Henry Hardinge had con-
ducted the affairs committed to him, there was no doubt he
was entitled to the highest distinction. if the utmost prepa-
ration had been made with a view to suppress the disturbances
in the Punjaub, there could not have been a more brilliant
series of successes than that which had attended our arms on a
sudden call. He begged leave to express his cordial concur-
rence in the motion.
Sir DE LACY EVANS entered into a general defence of
the military operations which 'Sir Henry Smith had thought
proper to adopt in the recent conflict on the banks of the
Sutlej. He did not think there existed a victory on record,
which equalled this brilliant achievement. He knew full well
what were the effects of unjust criticisms, bath on officers and
men, and therefore would refrain from entering into any par-
ticular details. He knew of no achievements in the annals of
history which equalled in brilliant execution that which had
disi inguished the brief career of the Governor-General of
India. Sir Hugh Gough has been the successful Commander-
in-Chief during two wars. and h€ believed that there scarcely
existed an example, with the exception of the illustrious Coln••
mender-in-S. hiet of the English army, when in the space of
two years so many gallant victories had been obtained.
Sir H. DOUGLAS did not precisely agree with the Hon.
Baronet in regreting the sacrifice of human life which had
occurred in the recent battles, as without that sacri-
fice the victory would not have been achieved.
The Hon. Baronet then read a letter giving a geogravhical
description of the scene of action, and the natural difficulties
which the face of the country presents to the march of troops,
as well as the many other difficulties arising from other causes
which the British troops had to encounter, and concluded by
declaring that a more tremendous or crowning victory for the
future peace of the country had never been achieved.
Mr. BROTH ERTON said that, but fur the speech of the
Hon. Member for Reading, he would not have risen to say
one word upon this subject. But lest it might appear like
pusillanimity upon his part if he gave a silent vote upon
this question after that speech, he had risen to say
a few words in defence of those principles of peace
of which he was an advocate, and which he was
always ready to vindicate. He had been waited upon
a ehort titne ago by a number of friends, who requested him to
declined to
present a motion to this House which might not appear to be
i(aecordance with the wishes of the House, and as he did not
wish to do anything that might have the appearance of at-
temptinghis gratitude time
to interferewiththe lof
unacom ty the House,
have anything to do with it.—(Hear, hear.) At
he had
of those who
the same hie should say that his heart was as warm and
had
sladull as that of any other man, for the conduct
ceuntry._( Hear,
hear.)
acts for the general benefit of the
with the name of ereeriig)ion, for he looked upon war as the
therefore, he did not thinkßut he did not wish to mix up war
ever a country could be visited with, and,
greatest scourge that
the blessing of God on such it right for this House to implore
Lord HOTHAM said e hopedactl' he should be pardoned by
the House if he availed himself of the opportunity which his
oaunsde
ngave
promisedhi f for a few observations on
seatth ialreadys in
subject
been disposed
disposed of in a masterlyeyshould be few, for it had
idtliseriiant manner by
Treasury.t These
the most con-
the Right Hon. Baronet the First Lort;Low
procedings in India had been characterised b
to satisfactoryno
sumate ability and skill, and nothing could be More
than the conduct of the troops. It was also gratifying
that the gallant officer who had achieved so much honour forw
himself and the British arms, Sir Henry Smith, had had
the advantage of having served five years under the command
of the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsula, where he dis-
played a remarkably quick perception, ardent zeal and devo-
tion, and the most undaunted resolution—( Hear, hear)—and
to those qualities might be attributed the signal success which
has carried his efforts in India. —( Cheers. ) With these few
observations he begged to say that this proposition was one
which had his most cordial approbation and support.—( Hear.)
Mr. HUME said, that before this resolution was passed,
and passed he hoped it would be unanimously, he 'wished to
say a few words. He was sorry that the policy of war had
been introduced into this question, for they had now before
them merely a proposition of the Government.—( Hear, hear.)
He would also wish to say a word in reference to the native
troops. The Right Hon. Baronet opposite had stated that two-
thirds of the army in India consisted of native troops; and he
(Mr. Hume) would say, that he had had some experience of
them in a small way, and he could add that no men in any
army were more remarkable for their bravery, loyalty, and
fidelity.—(Hear, hear.) In his experience of them, he could
say that in many instances bribes had been offered, but in no
case had any of them been known to desert.—(Cheers.) He
was sorry that the forms of the House prevented them from
taking notice of them in the way deserved, but he trusted that
the East India Company would do their duty by them,—( Hear,
hear.) With result to what had been said about the grasping
character of the Governor-General in India, he could only say
that in the present case not the least honourable trait in the
conduct of Sir Henry Hardinge was his forbearance.—( Hear. )
The SPEAKER then put the question, and the House de-
clared unanimously in favour of it.
VOTE OF THANKS TO SIR HENRY HARDINGE
AND SIR HUGH GOUGH.

Sir R. PEEL—It is unnecessary for me to trouble this
House with any observations on the motion which I am about
to lay before it, sod which proposes that the thanks of this
Home should be given to Sir Hem y Hardinge and to Sir Hugh
Gough. The Hon. and Gallant Officer must have misunder-
stood if he thought that I meant to imply that Sir Henry
Smith had sustained any revere. lam most anxious to pay a
d”.erved compliment for the action which preceded the late de-
CIFIV.OtI. So far from intending to apply the term " re-
I said that he had extricated himself from his difficulties
vvith singular dexterity, and that justice had not been done to
his conduct.
.1 was most anxious to show that previously to
the storms victory which he subsequently gained, be bed ex.