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

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE.

The following Resolutions were reported from the above
Committee :-
1. That in the case of the Railway Guarantee Corporation
petition, the standing orders ought not to be dispensed with.
2. That in the ca ::e of the South Staffordshire Junction
Railway with Branches (No. 1) petition, the standing orders
ought to be dispensed with .—That the parties be permitted
to proceed with their Bill.
3. That, in the case of the South Staffordshire Junction
Railway (No. 2—Bilston and Priestfield Branch) petition,
the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the
parties be permitted to iroceed with their Bill.
4. That, in the case of the South Staffordshire Junction
Railway (No. 3—Skowhill and Portobello Branch) petition,
the standing orders ought to be dispensed with ..—That the
parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill.
5. That, in the case of the South Staffordshire Junction
Railway (No. 4—Willenhall and Blozwich Branch) petition,
the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the
parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill.
6. That, in the case of the Macclesfield and Lichfield Rail-
way (No. '2) petition, for leave to present a petition for a
Bill, the sessional order ought not to be dispensed with.
7. That, in the case of the South Union or Manchester
Potteries and London Railway petition, the standing orders
ought not to be dispensed with.
8. That, in the case of the London and South-Western
Railway (Salisbury Junction) petition, the standing orders
ought not to be dispensed with.
Second, third, fourth, and fifth Resolutions agreed to.—
Report to lie on the table.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 2.
Sir Robert Peel,—That the thanks of this House be given
to Major-General Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Com-
mander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath,
for his skilful and meritorious conduct, when in command of
the British troops employed against a large portion of the
Seikh army, of greatly superior numbers; and for the signal
valour and judgment displayed by him in the battle of the
28th of January, when the enemy's force was totally de-
feated, and new lustre added to the reputation of the British
arms.
That the thanks of this House be given to the several
officers, European and native, under the command of Sir
Henry Smith, for the distinguished services rendered by
them at the battle of Aliwal.
That this House doth highly approve of and commend
the intrepidity and exemplary discipline displayed by the
non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, European and
native, on the 28th of January, in their attack on the
enemy's position, by which the Seikhs were completely
routed, and driven in confusion across the Sutlej, with the
loss of all their artillery and military equipment ; and that
the same be signified to them by the commanders of the
several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant
behaviour.
That, in requesting the Governor-General of India to com-
municate these resolutions to the several officers referred to
therein, this House desires to acknowledge the zeal and
judgment evinced by the Right Hon. Lieut.-General Sir
Henry llardinge, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the
Bath, Governor-General of India ; and also by General Sir
Hugh Gough, Bart., Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the
Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in India, in sup-
plying Major-General Sir Henry Smith with such reinforce-
ments and military means as enabled him, under Divine Pro-
vidence, to overcome all the obstacles thrown in his way by
a brave and determined enemy.
Sir Robert Peel,—That the thanks of this House be given
to the Right. Hon. Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge,
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Hon. Military Order of the
Bath, Governor-General of India, for the judgment, energy,
and ability with which the resources of tke British Empire
in India have been applied, in repelling the unjust and un-
provoked invasion of the British territory by the Seikh na-
tion ; and for the valour and indefatigable exertions which he
displayed on the 10th of February, at the Battle of Sobraon,
when by the blessing of Almighty God, which we desire most
humbly to acknowledge, this hostile and treacherous inva-
sion was successfully defeated.
That the thanks of this House be given to General Sir
Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the Most
Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Commander-in-
Chief of the Forces in India, for the signal ability and valour
with which, upon the 10th of February, he directed and led
the attack, when the enemy's entrenchments were stormed,
their artillery captured, their army defeated and scattered,
and the Punjaub laid open to the advance of our victorious
troops.
That the thanks of this House be given to Major-General
Sir Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the Most
Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Major-General
Walter Raleigh Gilbert, and Major-General Sir Joseph
Thackwell, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable
Military Order of the Bath ; and to the other officers, Euro-
pean and native, for the distinguished services rendered by
them in the eminently successful operations at the battle of
Sobraon.
That this House doth highly approve of and commend the
invincible intrepidity, perseverance, and steady discipline
displayed by the non-commissioned officers and private sol-
diers, European and native, on the 10th of February, by
which the glory of the British arms has been successfully
maintained against a determined and greatly superior force;
and that the same be signified to them by the commanders
of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their
gallant behaviour.

A BoY HUNG BY ACCIDENT.—Last Monday a boy
named Noakes, 14 years of age, son of a farmer at Hellingly, met with
his death under the following singular circumstances : —After being
engaged during the day in ploughing with his father, he went into
the loft for the purpose of getting some straw. Half an hour after-
wards the father, on going Into the stable, discovered the deceased
sitting, as he thought, with his face towards the entrance door. He
erotherthe father
witnesses
deposed
having
called out, " What, Jim, are you asleep ?" Receiving no answer he
went to the spot, when he ascertained that his son was hanging, by
anSusdsesx e,,, whena
l means of the lanthorn rope, to a beam, and quite dead. An inquest
was held on Wednesday before F. H. Gell, Esq., coroner for West
e ye si d
en
ce mentionedthat t
h e above,
de-
ceased was in the habit of swinging by means of the lanthorn rope,
putting his head through a loose noose, and holding on likewise with
his hands above his head, the jury returned a verdict—" That de-
ceased accidentally hung himself."
gifvacents

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, April 2.
Their Lordships assembled at Five o'clock.
ROYAL COMMISSION.
The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the
Mutiny Bill, the Marine Mutiny Bill, the Chelsea Out-
Pensioners' Bill, the Greenwich and Chelsea Out Pen-
sioners' Bill, the Dovvnpatrick Gas Bill, and the Ayles-
bury Poor-rate Assessment Bill.
The Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the
Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Haddington.
Mr. GREENE brought up several Bills to the bar of
their Lordships' House, as having been passed by the
House of Commons ; amongst them was one, giving
power to the Great Western Railway Company to ex-
tend and amend the works of the said Railway.
POOR-LAW IN IRELAND.
Lord CLANCARTY presented petitions from Cork
and other places, praying for certain amendments in the
Irish poor-law, and expressing their satisfaction that the
judicial officers of unions wero to be paid out of the
Consolidated Fuud.
VOTES OF THANKS TO THE INDIAN ARMY.
The Earl of RIPON then rose. He said—My Lords,
I flatter myself that you will pardon me if, in the
course which I am about to take this evening, 1
do that which is not altogether conformable to
the usual practice, and proceed to submit a motion to you
of which I had not previously given notice. My Lords,
I am sure that you will believe that I could have no de-
sire improperly to depart from those rules, and still less
can you believe that in the proposition of which I have
given no notice there was any notion on my part, or con-
ception on yours that the splendour of the achievements
which I am about to bring under your notice, can by
any possibility dim the original brightness of that glo-
rious achievement to which I had first referred. But I
do think, my Lords, that on an occasion like the present,
there is that intimate connexion between these victories
—these successes themselves, and the honours which be-
long to them, which seems to render it a reasonable
and a proper course that they should both be considered
together, and that the very fact of your Lordships re-
cording your sense of them on the same day would show,
not only to the people of India, but to the whole world,
what your feeling is of the power and resources of this
country, and how cordially you accord your thanks to
those who develop them, in whatever part of
the world they may be called on to act. I, there-
fore, did anticipate that if I took the course
I am now about to pursue I should receive your Lord-
ships' indulgence. I will, first, then advert to that part
of case for which the notice of motion had been given,
I mean to the battle of Aliwal, and I am very
sensible that it - will not- require any eloquence
on my part to inspire your Lordships with
those feelings which such a display of
skill and courage on the part of our armies is of itself
naturally calculated to excite. It is impossible that any
description I could give would be so clear, so precise, or
so intelligible as the description which has been
given by the conqueror himself —a specimen of com-
position which would do honour to the most literary
Member of your Lordships' House. I shall not
therefore trouble myself to enter into a very deep detail
of what has been already so eloquently described ; for,
to all that read that dispatch, it would be quite unneces-
sary ; but I will advert to some of the circumstances
which preceded that action, for the purpose of showing
the consummate skill by which the operations of
Sir Henry Smith have been conducted. Your
Lordships will recollect that when it became
necessary for our army to advance, the forces which we
had at Loodianah were required to be withdrawn to join
the combined force. The effect of this arrangement was
to expose Loodianah to the attacks of the enemy, but
the main object in bringing the army from Ferozeshah
and Loodianah was to increase the force in order to
strike the decided blow. No sooner did the enemy
cross the Sutlej after the battles of the 21st and 22d of
December, and it was deemed advisable to strengthen
the force at Loodianah to meet the enemy's
force, which were concentrating in that quarter.
Yet still the position of our army in Loodianah was
such as might cause extreme inconvenience to our troops,
by enabling the enemy to adopt such means as would
facilitate their attempts to cut off all communication
with our forces, and therefore it became actually neces-
sary to take every measure to guard the reinforce-
ment, then on the road to Sir H. Smith,
from any surprise, and to preserve from di-
vergence the heavy battering train which was
also in its progress, and which was absolutely necessary
to enable Sir H. Smith to carry on his future operations.
It was, therefore, resolved upon to concentrate our
forces at Loodianah, to carry out this project. Sir H.
Smith was appointed to accomplish this movement, and
by the 15th of January he had a very considerable force
assembled at that fort, and was perfectly prepared
against any sudden attack of the enemy. About
this time a report was received at head-
quarters to the effect that a very large force of the
enemy was assembling on the opposite side of Loodi-
anah, and that it was supposed he was about to intrench
himself at the spot situate in a turn of the river, caused
by a sudden divergence of the Sutlej. Now it was ne-
cessary to prevent this, and accordingly the 53d Regi-
ment was ordered to move forward in that direction.
In the meantime Sir Henry Smith's division
was ordered to attack a fort which lay on
the right flank of our army, and which was of consi-
derable importance to us as regards our position with
the Sutlej and Loodianah. His forces proceeded to at-
tack this fort, and it only required two or three shots
to be fired in order to induce the inhabitants to
surrender, and the result was, that a considerable
property in grain and other articles fell into
our hands. From thence tho army moved on
to Loodianah, and there they were joined by the 53d and
a considerable body of native troops, which were expected
on the 23d January. In the meantime the enemy con-
tinued to increase his forces, and, therefore, it became
necessary to increase Sir 11. Smith's forces also. In the
meantime the enemy moved forward to a ford that lay
half-way towards Loodianah. The road passed through
several villages, and placed the enemy exactly in the line
which Sir IL Smith's force would have to pass in their
way to Loodianah. W hen they arrived at the ford their
position was in a line parallel to that which the enemy
was taking. Many men might have been tempted
to avail themselves of such an opportunity of
attacking the enemy, but Sir henry Smith
was too wise for that. Instead of doing so, he made a
deviation. He was not to be led away by the idea of
making a successful attack from the instructions he had
given him, and he accordingly took a circuitous route,
in order to effect a connexion with the force at Loodi-
anah. He deviated 'to the right of the enemy's po-
sition in order to accomplish that object. The
enemy had an excellent road for the progress
of his troops while the course of Sir Henry Smith was
through hardened sand. He moved onwards to his
destination not in the least dismayed, though he was
almost enveloped by the enemy, and effected the junc-
tion at Loodianah with a comparatively trifling loss of
men from the shots of the enemy, and the loss of some bag-
gage. This was nothing compared with the grand object
of concentrating the forces at Loodianah. Any of their
Lordships, by referring to the map, would see the im-
portance of that movement as a necessary prelude to the
events that were to follow. Arriving at Loodianah he
was joined by the force under Brigadier Wheeler,
who had but just come up. That officer, before
moving on to Loodianah, had been told that an action
had been fought on the 21st, in which the British troops
were entirely successful, and he was about to change
his operations, and stop in his course ; but hearing
afterwards news of an entirely opposite tendency, he
resolved to take a more circuitous route in order to
avoid falling in with the enemy, and, in consequence,
effected the junction with Sir. H. Smith. Thisj unction ren-
dered it impossible for the enemy to retire over the river.
Oa the 26th Sir Henry Smith was joined by Major
Wheeler, and he proceeded to the attack with a strong
force, though considerably inferior to that of the
enemy, which had been reinforced by the flower of
their troops. His orders were to drive the enemy across
the Sutlej, and he did it, executing a series of beautiful
manoeuvres which ended in their utter discomfiture.—
(Hear, hear.) He could not enter into a detail of the
skilful manoeuvres in which his Gallant Friend had ar-
ranged the order of his march, and the provisions
which he made for every possibility of an attack
which could be made upon them, and the facility
which his dispositions gave him for making the
attack himself if required—they were beyond his
panegyric.—(hear, hear). They were those which
gave proof of the presiding spirit of a great
master in the art of war.—(Hear, hear.) He manifested
the utmost coolness and self-possession throughout the
whole trying scene. When he came within a few yards
of the enemy's position he halted, for the purpose of
observing, with the eye of an experienced leader, what
was the keystone of it ; and he found it in the little
village of Aliwal ; and in forcing that position he out-
flanked the left wing and drove it back in confusion on
the right. This was what he calculated upon, and gal-
lantly did he effect it.—(Hear, hear.) The success
was most complete, the enemy were driven across the Sutlej.
There was no doubt, no wavering, no resolution, no hesitation.
'fhey were attacked ; nothing could exceed the cool intrepidity
with which the troops proceeded to the execution of their
orders. They were most resolutely encountered—defeated and
driven across the river with the consciousness of regret at
having been engaged in such an ungracious cause. In this
splendid achievement the conduct of all the troops was excel-
lent. In this conflict all were brave, determined, and success-
ful. It would be inviduous to make comparisons, for every
portion of the army vied with each other—the cavalry with the
infantry—the natives with the Europeans ; and it is one of the
most gratifying:circumstances that the native troops, not only
upheld their old renown, but absolutely held equal ground with
the European troops in that portion of the field in which theire
services were required. I am aware that your Lordships
thosened
not be informed of the spirit and the valour by
troops have ever been distinguished, but cannot. help alluding
tells of the reliance which
to it in the present instance, as
it
may hereafter be placed on itsspirhit. for . the future
service of the country. Your Lordships will recollect,
according to Sir Henry Smith's aecount, that Briga-
dier Cureton's Cavalry were disposed on the right
flank ; it consisted of her Majesty's 16th Lancers, the
sth Native Cavalry, and the Governor-General's Body Guard,
It was placed so as to make an efficient attack with the Ist
Native Cavalry in reserve, so as to render the attack as com-
plete as possible. The General-in-Command, although the
obstacles appeared to be insurmountable, addressed the men in
these simple, but effective, words, " Now, my brave boys,
charge,
charge that camp, and carry it." They did make the
and the first salute that they met with was a volley of grape-
shot. They did charge—they went through it--they returned
and drove out the enemy, and were completely successful,
although with severe loss in the object they desired to take.
He could not refrain from mentioning one instance of particu-
lar bravery to their Lordships. There was a young officer of
the name of Ellis, a son of a Right Hon. Gentleman, who
was engaged in that attack. He had not joined his regiment
snore than a few months—had seen no warfare—certainly no
service of anything like that. After cutting through the camp
in the attack, he turned round and saw himself accompanied
by only eight men, with a considerable body of the enemy before
him. What did he do? Without hesitation he immediately
charged the foe—the enemy unable to bear the force of his
charge, opened to allow him to pass through, but cut
down four of his eight men in the passage. But what

was the result ? The enemy disheartened by such intrepidity '
had fled towards the river, and were entirely dispersed. I
know that this had nothing to do with the ultimate success of
the day, but I speak of it as an instance of the intrepidity by
which the whole army was actuated, and of that fiery spirit
with which the troops were impelled, and that thirst for glory
which will always carry them on to success. It is with that
♦iew, therefore, that I have taken the liberty of adverting to
'it ; and your Lordships will feel that when there prevailed
such a spirit of chivalry like that amongst the young and in-
experienced, it must have been greatly increased on the part of
those whose mature years and knowledge of the science of
war was brought to bear on resolute and determined men.
The trophies of that day were all the cannon and the ammu-
nition that they had brought across the river, the stores of
every kind that were accumulated in their camp; and the waves
of the Sutlej carried down to the ford of Hurreeke
and to the tete de pout that the Seikh army had
erected, the bodies of those men who had at-
tempted to escape from the slaughter with which they
were threatened, and the discomfiture which was about to
overwhelm them. Not long after the fort of Phillonr, a place i
of considerable strength on the opposite side of the Sutlej, was
taken possession of. And now, my Lords, after these achieve-
ments, the time had arrived when the Governor-General and
the Commander-in-Chief felt that their task was to be per-
formed. They had received a reinforcement, which they con-
sidered absolutely necessary, of heavy artillery, from Loodi-
anah. Then, with a just reliance on the character of the
troops, and the skill of the officers acting under themselves,
they felt that the time had arrived for driving the enemy across
the Sutlej. Orders were immediately sent to Sir H. Smith
to return, with a portion of the troops under his command, to
the camp which he had recently left. I should be wasting
your Lordships' time if I were to describe the battle ; it was
described by those who had planned and won it. I should be
but conveying a poor idea of the glorious battle, which was to
us victorious, if I were to attempt a description, and I shall
leave it to your Lordships to judge of the skill with which it
was planned and the way in which it was carried out.
All, from the Commander-in-Chief to the humblest
soldier, deserve the thanks of your Lordships and the country.
But, my Lords, there were heavy losses. Men of renown have
fallen in this glorious victory, and we must, and cannot but,
lament the fall of these great men. The Commander-in-
Chief had covered himself with glory, and it was not till the
dispatch of that General—it was not till the dispatch of Sir
Hugh Gough—was published, that we were acquainted with
the noble conduct of the Governor-General. He had fallen

from his horse in the night and was severely injured. So de-
sirous, however, was he to take a part in these transactions,
that he set out on horseback, and rode on to where the
Commander-in-Chief was stationed. During the journey the
accident happened. At the battle, however, which followed,
his energies were not broken down in consequence. To those
who know what a battle scene is, some idea may be formed of
what were the feelings of the Governor-General when he was
obliged to enter the field of battle in a carriage. When he ar-
rived there, however, the carriage was not his post. lie at
once got on horseback, and for that purpose it was necessary
that he should be lifted up and placed in his seat.—( Hear, hear,
and cheers.) Not withstanding these unfavourable circum-
stances, there he was, inspiring by his presence, and power-
fully directing those services which had been so eloquently de-
scribed by the Commander in-Chief. When that action was
over, he hastened with the utmost speed to the banks of the
Sutlej, for the purpose of conducting the army over with the
utmost possible speed. Accordirgly, the army was moved for-
ward, and two divisions of infantry, with some cavalry and artil-
lery, made the transit that night. The whole of the army fol-
lowed next day, and moved on in the direction of Lahore.
The Seikhs' army had become so demoralised, and so com-
pletely broken up, by the discomfitures which they had already
sustained, that during the remainder of the march of our army
to a place within 16 miles of Lahore, not a single obstacle did
they meet, nor was there the least appearance of an enemy.
This transaction closed the accounts which we have received
up to the period of the last dispatches. I forbear to notice the
details which have been communicated relative to the terms
which have been proposed to the enemy. They may involve
political considerations to which, whatever feelings I may en-
tertain upon their policy or propriety, I do not mean at pre-
sent to refer. All that I wish to do is to call the attention of
your Lordships to the consummate skill, energy, and bravery
which distinguished all, from the Commander-in-Chief to the
common private, who were engaged in those operations, and to
ask you to bear your testimony to their gallant bearing.—
( Cheers. ) I am sure, my Lords, you will feel with me how
much deep gratitude is due to every one of those generals for
the triumphant manner in which they have discharged the re-
sponsible duty entreated to thrm—a responsibility which, let
me tell those who du not know what the nature of fighting is,
they may not be able to appreciate. But I could show you
documents which would testify most amply to the energy
and ability of the Commander-in-Chief. I could show you that
even to the most trivial matter he left nothing whatever un-
done which prudence and caution could suggest, and that no
contingency, however trifling and remote, was left unprovided
for. Those documents, I contend for it, could find no parallel
except in those of the great Napoleon, or of that still greater
man to whom I am now pointing.—(Here the Duke of Wel-
lington rose, amidst loud cries of " Hear, hear.") Those
great events show the valuable school in which Sir H. Har-
dinge learned the zrt of war, and which his clear understand-
ing so rapidly and vividly comprehended. It was in the same
school also that Sir Hugh Gough learned fighting. While
still a pupil he stood, no doubt, in a humbler sphere than he
now holds—when engaged in the glorious battles of the Penin-
sula ' • but he there learned lessons of the greatest master that
ever lived, and the event has proved, that he was a worthy pupil
of that great master.—( Hear.) They have reaped mach of the
glory of those engagements, but the greatest glory of all is still
enjoyed by him, who, I thank God, stilllives in that enjoyment.
(Cheers. ) I know that I am speaking in his presence, and
therefore I beg his pardon, for I know I should not do it, but I
am sure you will concur in the feeling which has dictated those
expressions. My Lords, I will not further waste your time by
dwelling longer upon this subject, and shall now conclude by
reading the motion which I intend to submit for your Lord-
ships' approbation.—( here the Soble Lord read the motion,
which will be found in our summary.)
Lord AUCKLAND rose, in the absence of the Marquis of
Lansdowne, to second the motion. He was sorry that his
Noble Friend, who was so much better able to do justice
to the motion than he (Lord Auckland) was, should be absent ;
still, though absent in body, he was present in mind. Had
he been here he would have supported the motion so well ad-
vanced by the Noble Earl opposite, in a much clearer and
more effective manner than he (Lord Auckland) did. As it
was; he seconded the motion of the Noble Earl in the absence
of his Noble Friend, He felt a deep interest in the subject,
but no expressions that he could employ, could do anything
like stating the feelings of admiration that he felt, in common
with the members of that House—an admiration which was
felt not only by their Lordships, but throughout the whole
country, respecting the wonderful success which had been
achieved by the army of India.—( Hear.) He could not place
it in a stronger and distincter light than the dispatches which
had been placed in the hands of their Lordships, and in the
clear and eloquent speech which had been made by the Noble
Earl who had introduced the motion. From a few sentences
in the dispatch of Sir H. Smith, they would see the discipline
and skill which were manifested—in the face of provocation
and danger—so as not to risk an attack till the proper time
had arrived. They saw there how much more orderly was the
field of battle than at the battle of Ferozashur. Here there
was no advantage, but in the vast superiority of the enemy in
numbers; and the victory was gained by the determined bra-
very and skill of the gallant troops against an enemy, who
throughout did everthing they could to insure success.—
(Cheers.) He was proud of that victory, and glad that he
felt the satisfaction of knowing the gallant officer who had led
the war to success—(Cheers)—one towards whom he had al-
ways felt the greatest regard and respect, and who, to his
skill as a commander, had superadded the glory acquired from
many a victorious and hard fought field.—(Loud cheers. )
To the latter battle he would only refer in the language of his
Noble Friend, that it was a hardly contested battle, and he was
gratified that one who had already rendered his country so
many signal services, Sir H. Gough, was present there to add
one new laurel to the wreath which he had already won. He
would be glad to point out to the House one or two circum-
stances of minor importance. The force under Sir Henry
Smith was directed only by a European commander, captain,
and adjutant, every other officer in the corps was a native of
India. He would also allude to the Shakawatee corps, led by a
native, son of an European father, who did not even hold
aive, the
commission
their army, yet who drilled a regiment
of cavalry and a,:iller. , which took a chief part in
the action.—( Hear,) ne Indian troops were arranged
alongside the European forces,
nd were described as contend-
ing with them for the front ran;e::—(
:
had won a fair share in the profits of :!le llear'hear.) They
victory, and they
were entitled to their full meed of praise.
con-
sisted of not more than 640, and they the two battles
That corps
lost in
to which he had referred 140 men—yet at the e2d they
were forward in the onset. He would call the attentio.: of
the House to one other point, on which he was anxious to make
one or two observations. He thought that after the battle of
Ferozoshah, an opinion generally prevailed that the appoint-
ments of the Bengal Artillery were incomplete, and perhaps
his Lordship might be aware that various discussions had
taken place as to whether the calibre of their guns was not
too light ; and, certainly, when opposed to the heavy artillery
of the Seikh army, placed in entrenchment, they were not in
their proper position, and success could not in every
case be depended upon.—(Hear.) He, however, thought
that the very lightness of that artillery was compensated for by
the celerity of their movements ; and if any Noble Lord would
take the trouble to refer to the dispatches of Sir H. Smith, he
would see that artillery was ever in the front, that they were
always in the pursuit, and that even they had followed the
enemy across the river alter their defeat. Sir Henry Smith
said, with reference to this artillery, that the guns and gunners,
officers and men, might be equalled, but not excelled by any
artillery in the world. He would not further detain their
Lordships upon this subject, but he would, with their leave,
make one remark upon the great events which had occurred,
and to which their notice had been directed. Those events
might be summed up in a few words. An attack was made
upon their territory by an army better equipped, more nume-
rous, and, in his mind, better directed than any army with
which the British army had to contend. The attack had taken
the British army in some degree by surprise, and therefore
their preparations were not altogether in so advanced a state
as they could wish. Yet, in little more than the space of
seven weeks, four fiercely contested battles had been fought,ts
h
four victories had been gained, the strength
of
army had been dispersed and annihilated ; and
t
had been every appearance of danger, security had been sub-
stituted,overnmen was now as firmly secured
and the British G
as it had ever been.
The Governor-Genera was in a condi-
tion to impose terms upon the enemy, but what those terms
were, they, in England, were not yet in possession of. For
himself he cordially
.expressed his thanks to the brave men who
had been engaged in those victories. These great successes
u theybattles
s I
hadatmake
en
hnt
ee
edba
by the
fhto
heti
egc
hi r
Gtc, uo
eestrt
nat
hno
rec
rGs
ceuannaedsroe:l
and the Commander-in-Chief
however could not have been accomplished without a heavy
ye° measures s ea s
hoes ; and, deephhl
waslation som
which et
boaft tt
-
were so prompt and energetic,
that success was at once secured ; they might otherwise have
been engaged in a protracted war. They might have had to
encounter, not the enemy alone, but the hot season, and
the
rains of India, and then they might have suffered
a more heavy
loss than had been occasioned by these successes.
The Duke of WELLINGTON then rose and said—My Lords,
I deeply lament the absence of the Noble Mar • spoke
on the late discussion on a similar whoq
Marquis who
subject, so eloquently
applauded the conduct of those engaged
have been happy to hear him support my Noble Friend in the
motion to which he has called your attention. But, my Lords,
I am consoled for the absence of the Noble Marquis by the
statements so eloquently put forward by my Noble Friend on
the other side. My Lords, I rejoice that the vote of your
Lordships will be unanimous, thus corresponding with the uni-
versal feeling of satisfaction which prevails throughout the
country on this subject. At the same time, although I cannot
help alluding to these actions, I do not wish to enter particu-
larly into the details of the subject, but I do wish to remind
your Lordships generally of the course of these events; and I
must, therefore, call the facts to your minds. In doing so, I
would wish to recal it to your Lordships' recollections that
the Governor-General was particularly desirous to avoid giving
cause of offence to the Seikh Government. He was very
anxious to prevent any collision between that Go•
vernment and the Powers placed in authority by the
British Government on the frontier; and, in order to carry out
that design, and remove any cause of offence, he had increased
the strength of the barrier againt any breach of the peace
against the British Government, on the north-western fron-
tier of these provinces. He was aware of the irregularity of
their army, of the uneasiness which it gave to the Government,
and his anxiety was consequently increased to restore discipline

to its ranks. But he hoped, by giving no cause of collision ,
that he should be enabled to prevent any collision between the
two powers ; to prevent, not only any hostility, but by that
means to provide additional security to the north-western fron..
tier of our Indian possessions. With a view to that effect, he
had strengthened the out posts of Ferozepore and Loodianah—
he had also provided stores in the rear of Umballah. Under
these circumstances the attack was made, on which my Noble
Friend has expressed an opinion, as well as on the first operation.
The second operation was that which my Noble Friend has just
detailed to you. It was necessary to keep up a communication
between Loodianah and Ferozepore. It was in consequence of
the attempt to cover these two points, that the action of the
22d took place, and the enemy were obliged to retreat on the
Sutlej. Dispositions were made to compel the enemy to cross
that river, to enable the Commander-in-Chief to carry on the
contest with a certainty of eventual success and honour. The
troops were so stationed as to oblige the enemy to re-
treat, on bringing up the reserve from the rear in the middle
of January. In all his attempts, the Governor-General ha.
been completely successful, and the enemy had been compellet
to cress the Sutlej. It should be recollected that these place.
are 250 miles distant from each other, and in the mean time
the enemy had made a diversion towards Loodianah, and had
burnt a catoon. Sir Henry Smith was sent with a
detachment to Loodianah, to drive the enemy from the posi-
tion which they had taken. I must beg your Lordships to
keep in mind that Sir Henry Smith had three objects in view.
One was to give security to the post of Loodianah, which
had been already reinforced by Brigadier Godby ; another
was to secure a communication with the rear of Loodianah, a
post of peat importance, which now it was necessary, above
all things, to keep open in communication with Ferozepore
and Delhi in the rear. At Delhi the whole of the heavy siege
train was placed ; and, in order to bring it up, it was necessary
to pass, in the course of the march, within twenty or thirty
miles of the enemy's camp, whilst the distance of Ferozepore
and the main body of the army was not less than fifty miles.
These were the objects to secure which Sir Henry Smith was
detached from the army. He immediately directed his atten-
tion to secure these objects—in the first instance to relieve
Brigadier Godby, who was stationed near that post before his
arrival. One of the main difficulties, my Lords, in a warfare
of this nature—and I can speak from experience, having
served in that country—is the keeping open a communication
in these parts, and in the conveyance of artillery, arising from
the great number of light troops which attend upon the armies
of the enemy. Under these circumstances, and in order to
keep up the communication, Sir H. Smith was under the ne-
cessity of moving within reach of the entrenched camp formed
by the enemy, in order to preserve his communication with
the army. In doing so, he was attacked, and lost a small part
of his baggage. 1 mention this, my Lords, because this is the
only check, if check it can be called, which the troops have ex-
perienced. This loss of the baggage, of which so much has been
said, was, after all, insignificant, and utterly, in fact, unavoidable.
I will beg your Lordships to observe that not only had Sir H.
Smith continued his march, but he also assisted General
Wheeler. I have read the account of many a battle, but I
have never read an account of any affair in which so much
ability has been shown as in this battle. I have never read of
any battle in which so much ability to command has been
shown as in this glorious achievement by this great General.
It was one in which the nicest movements were carried out,
and the gallantry on the part of our officers and troops was
never surpassed.—(Cheers.) I have no hesitation in saying
that General Sir Henry Smith is an officer who is an honour to
the service and an acquisition to his country.—(Cheers.) I
quite concur with the Noble Eail who has preeeded me, with
respect to the Bengal Artillery. Many reports to their dis-
advantage have gone abroad, but I am sure the vulgar preju-
dice which dictates such reports will not weigh with your
Lordships.—( Hear, hear.) Look at them on this occasion—
it is the most effective in the world—they are Englishmen like
ourselves, and they will always show themselves like English-
men in the service of their country. I will refer once more
to Sir Henry Smith. He fought a battle on the 29th, and be
returned on the 7th of the next month, and another battle was
fought on the 10th. At that time the plan was formed to take
the enemy's entrenchments. Their position was not only
strongly entrenched on one side, but on the left and right banks
of the Sutlej they were strongly, I may say formidably, en-
trenched; so that when the left was carried, the army was
exposed to attack from the right hand. Every arrangement
was made to ensure the success of our plans. First the artil-
lery was brought to the ground and placed in such a position
as in some degree to get the better of the enemy's entrench-
ments. Under the protection of these guns the attack was
made, and the result was a glorious victory.—(Cheers.) It is
impossible to read these accounts without seeing the gallantry
of all our troops. But we must lament the fall of these brave
officers and men, who have done honour to their country.
Seeing, I say, my Lords, the gallantry, the energy, and the
activity of our officers and troops—seeing that they have, in
the short space of two months, passed this great river—a river
that is one of the most difficult in the world to pass—
and gained these great victories—l say, my Lords, that after
having done so much in this short space of time, the army of
India deserves the thanks of this country ; and it is with such
feelings I most cordially second the vote of thanks proposed by
the Noble Earl this evening.—( Cheers. )
Lord COLCHESTER said that there were others who
were beyond the honour intended by the votes of the House
that night. There were officers who had fallen in that battle
who could not be included in those resolutions, but he hoped
they would not be neglected by their Lordships. He alluded
to Brigadiers Taylor and Dick, who had died in the service of
their country, and who, by their gallantry covered themselves
with glory.—( Cheers.) He hoped her Majesty's Ministers
would recommend that similar honour should be paid to these
brave officers.
Lord STRAFFORD, who spoke in so low a tone as not to
be heard distinctly, was understood to express his gratification
on the splendid achievements of the British troops in India,
and to fully concur in the honour about to be conferred by the
votes of that evening.
The Earl of RIPON, in answer to the Noble Lord (Col-
chester) said—her Majesty's Government would recommend
that all posthumous honour should be shown to the gallant
officers who had fallen.—( Cheers. )
The LORD CHANCELLOR then put both votes, and they
were agreed to unanimously.
THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
Viscount CANNING begged to move that a message be
sent from their Lordships' House to the Commons, to com-
municate the opinion of their Lordships' Committee on the
present condition of the new Houses of Parliament.—( Hear. )
IRISH RAILWAY BILLS.

Lord REDESDALE gave notice that he would, to-mor •
row, call the attention of the House to the reports submitted
by Committees on several Irish Railway Bills.
The House adjourned shortly after Seven o'clock.