The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-07 00:00:00

AMERICA.

By the arrival of an American vessel at Havre, New York
papers of the 16th ult. have been received. The Oregon
resolutions, adopted by the House of Representatives, were
under discussion in the Senate on the 12th, but no vote was
taken, and at the close of the sitting, the Ho-e.se adjourned
till February 16. It was generally believed, however, that
the Senate would adopt the resolutions.

MEETING OF THE EAST INDIA
COMPANY.
TM WAR IN INDIA.
A special general meeting of the Court of Directors of the East
India Company was held yesterday, at 12 o'clock, at the East India
House, for the purpose of laying before the Proprietors documents re-
lative to the brilliant victories lately achieved on the left hank of the
Sutlej, and to adopt resolutions of thanks in cowectueuce,
The chair was taken by Sir Henry Willock.
The SECRETARY read the minutes of the las ,lay's proeecdtngs, and
the opinion of the starling counsel of the Company in reference to
the question of th pablieation of a certain advertisement, which
was to the effect that the said advertisement could not he legally
published. He next read a series of militates of correspoadence neon
the subject of the conduct of a late officer pf the CoMpftny ip Tudtri.
When he had concluded,
The CHAIRMAN rose and said hp lig to aegualat the ProPrkt9ril
that they had been umnioned Were the Court this liey for the
purpose of having laid before them a series of resolutions intended to
be proposed fee their adoption, and which they would now hear read.
The Szellzreny then read the resolutions, the first of which was a
vote of thanks to Sir Henry Hardinge, for the epithet, energy, and
zeal he had displayed in the discharge of his slaty it; the late setion
against the &eli4llB. The second w I a eimiler vote tp Sir Hugh
Gough; and those fhPeWcil Wile IP the like 041 to Generals
Sir G. H. Smith, Gilbert Rushee, and ail the other officers, non-com-
missioned officers, and soldiers therein engaged.
An Hox. PROPRIETOR said he cordially concurred in the fernifi
the re'otointioil, hut EA a elirlgl!44 1114's_ti !+3y Oil 411'18 opt to hew omitted a yete pf tlinnke tp Almighty Gpd in the
first instance.—(blear, hear )
The Crlareaseet said, that in farting the resolutions, the cPllrt IVA
adopted the terign igeof Nell:Rent, The eni:esiee wee of eteeese un-
intentienal, for it ceeld net bp eenpeeed ttett they did not all feel
grateful to God for thiS victoty.—(Hear, hear.) And it was tile
unanimous feeling of the Court that the m:ssion should be supplife',
—(Hear, hear.) lie then proceeded to say that lie hied colt:
veiled this Conn in enter tp affind the oreprielons
opportunity pf expressing their_ tense • the deep ,:'cling cut grati-
tude they entertained for the gslimit serviecs rereleredtheni end
their country by the officers and soldiers engaged in the late field pf
battle agalrot idle —(Hear.) The peeepany had neyee been
))legend of their prqii3 pf flip valour displayed upoh all hostile
occasions by the British army in Indie ; but there never had been an
occasion, perhaps, where enlogium was more merited by any sirs: y
than that which they had this day assembled to honour.— (Cheers.)
And while they contemplated with surprise the reet datieeee these
trews I. poiitvr, OsStriti es-J. 14 in the p-eide they felt a;
the snceeeeftd reamer in sellich all th6se difficult kse and dangers had
been overcome, and which wepid have proved hastiliPtelsle to less brave
and daring men,(Cheers.) These were the 'dangers which had
been dreaded for the last few years. He used the word "dreaded"
advisedly, because during the last few years it had been
deemed necessary to adopt precautionary measures to Rimed
against surprise or dangers to liteijeet, ad well as to
Prevent those IrreZilleeltieg bythe sells which were
likely to endangef the lifp elf the infant rrinec.— (Hear. hear.) So
great was the anxiety of the Governor in this respect, that while he
took care to quell all unnecessary alarm, he also adopted those pre-
cautionary measures which were the nacelle of ensuring this country
the late victory. —(Hear, hear.) However those nitreelnentg of the
British tropes had no hilinence with the Aok44, as might easily be
understoed by trip knew the character of the irregular army.
In addition to this there was to he coresident% the important facts of
the overpowering number of the Seikhs, the strength of their artillery
the superior experienee of the Italian and French officers by whom
they were disciplined and commanded, and the undoubted greet cou-
rage for which they hash ever been remarkable, end which had been
greatly increased by (warner suppesaes. However, the gallant Sir
Hugh Gough entered the geld against them, and told tho British
soldiers that the enemy should be beaten back, however great their
numbers, tun a territory which they had invaded without the least
trevocation.— (Hear.) He had also to admire another gallant
General, Sir Henry Hardinge—(Cheers)—for he, with his One arm,
entered the field, and told those deeds of at-ms which werenow before
the Court, and in which were related the hots of bravery by his son,
who fought by his side es a private soldier —(Loud cheers.) The
enemy to be encountered, he (the Chairintill) need not say
was no common enemy. It was the most powerful army
in all Asia, consisting of 05,000 men and 180 pieces of
cannon. Fearful, therefore, were the obstacles, the difficulties
and the dangers which the British forces had to encounter. They
had to light against overwhelming numbers, great dieetellne, im-
mense artillery, and a courageoes foe. BM: nothing daunted by
these disadvantages, they boldly advanced, and fotight and conquered
—(Cheers)—and took the enemy's guns and encampments.—
(Chi era.) That was their stronghold, but they were com-
pelled to abandon it and retire to their native territory.--(Hear, hear.)
Under such circumstances, no doubt, their first duty was to return
thanks to God for having thus crownel their arms with victory—
(Hear, hear)—and the next to express their grateful thanks to the
British army for their valorous conduct, en expression in which ha had
no doubt he would have the unanimous concurrence of this assembly
—(Cheers)—and he would conclude by saying he felt assured he ex-
pressed the universal concurrence of the Proprietors, when he de-
stared he had the fullest confidence that their army would eventually
bring this contest to a successful termination.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Hoots said he rose with feelings of the greatest pleasure and
the greatest pride to second the proposition of their Chairman, and
to express his most cordial concurrence in all that had fallen from
him in laying it before the meeting.—(Hear, hear.) The grateful
thanks of the British Parliament had already been voted to this
brave army, and he old not know how a greater honour could be
paid a brave soldiery than that their valour should be marked by the
eTatitude and thanks of the Legislature of tit.s great country.—
(Cheers.) It was a most r Lasing duty to the Legislature to do this ;
but it was no less gratifying to this Court, and they had em-
braced the very earliest opportunity of doing so. (Hear,
hear.) Their Chairman had very properly abstained from all mention
of details, and he (Mr. Hogg) would follow his example ; but there
was one point to which he would wish to direct attention. In the
dispatches 1 lid upon the table Sir Henrz Hardinge and Sir Hugh
Gough had told the bloody tale of till battle In plain, simple,
but energetic language, but which impressed all who read
them with the conviction that this had indeed been a
effirious exploit.—(Cheers.) The Chairman had also spoken of
the character of the enemy. No doubt that enemy was in
-umbers most formidable, in physical strength most powerful, in
courage pre-eminent, and possessed of resolution and determination
worthy of a better cause.—( • ear, hear.) 'They became efficient
slid disciplined, too, by most experienced Fr. itch generals;
on the other hand, the British force. did not amount to one•thrd or
:heir number. But this did not deter them ; they nerved themselves
'or the struggle, and the Pulijatth was taker. On Dscembsr 21st the
enemy was again defeated, and forced from Fereztpore, alter which
ra British tore, s were a semi-led wit the frontier, and every fighting
-teen was ready to do his duty - (Cheers)—and the result was, that
J:ey took Moodkee, atter a splendid battle.—(Cheers.) in the
tffair of the 21st the British forces had difficulties of no or.
finery character to encounter. Thy had to assail au en-
trenched camp, guarded by (isle hundred and eighty pieces of cation ;
ant, net sithstanding ail the di, advanta..es against the British arms,
and though they we-e mowed down, as ti,ey advanced, by shotvers of
shot and shell from the euemv, still they were firm, and the testa:
was they carried the en:renchment.—(Cheers) Und r these dr-
tumstances, then, this Co.npaey and this country wt re called upon
to acknowledge those deeds of valour by every meats in their power.
—(fieer, hear, ant cheers.) On the 25th Sir Henry Ilardinge, not
:inmindful of that solem i day, encamped on that bloody field
where many a relative, ffient, and' comrade fell, and returned
thanks to the Almighty for the tea ty perils and dangers they had
escaped.—(Hear, hear.) It was also pleasing to ref et that this
slorions triumph was unalloye I by a sin sle act which diminished the
eitisfactlon it afforded, for it was nothing more, on the part of the
liritisa forces, than repelling an enemy who had made au unjust and
inwarrantable aggression. - (Hear.) All along a peaceful policy
had been observed; but the event proved how necessary it was to
cake precautions agamst surprise. (Hear. hear.) lie trusted the
result of this battle Weifel prove to the Sei kits how (stile any attempt
to upset the British althority in India must prove —(hear, hear)
and how happy they might be under British dominion and British
'ustice.— (Hear, hear.)
Mr. EesTwregs, who announced himself as a Sepoy officer, spoke
afthe hardships the Sepoys endured, and contended that their duties
were too severe. • He was called to order by
Mr. Ciiax, who said he conceived the Hon. Proprietor was tra-
velling out of the subject under discussion.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WEEDING said it afforded him very great pleasure to express
his concurrence in the resolutions- he had heard read and the sen-
timents expressed by the properer and seconder of them.—(Hear.)
in referring to the officers that had been engaged, he must speak of
sue British officer of the greatest promise who had fallen—he meant
Major Broadfoot; and in making that allusion he could not do
better than point out to the attention of the Court the glowing eulogy
.vhich had been passed by- the Governor-General on his political
Agent, in his dispatch of the 21st, which described him as a most
tivaluabie agent, and an officer second to none in the service.
lie (Mr. Weeding) thought that some public honour should be paid
to the memory of this most meritorious officer. He had left two
children behind him who had been dependent on him for support,
and to whom he had acted he the twofold character of a brother and
a parent ; for these, also, some provision ought to be made.—(Hear,
Gear.) With regard to those who had been engaged in the late glo-
rious Cruggie, as the Government had proposed to pay them some
tribu o of respect, he considered that Court ought not to be behind
it, but agree likewise to some testimonial. With these few wont's
he would conclude by most cordially supporting the motion.
An Host. PROPRIETOR wished to say a few words in reference to
the difference which was stated to have taken place between the
63d Regiment, and the 12th and the 14th. He lead a letter in his
possession on this point, from which he 'would read an extract. (The
Ron. Gentleman then read the extract, which was to the effect, that
the 63e1 Regiment had behaved with the greatest gallantry in the en-
eagemont, having captured a great number of the enemy's guns, and
having been engaged in the thickest and hottest of the fight the half of
its men had been destroyed, besides six officers. This was not eta`ed
with any invidious motive, as the army throughout had behaved
with the greatest courage, and it might be said upon the whole,
there never was a more united army.—(Hear, hear.) If he might
allude to a dispatch received last night, it would be seen that through
the urbane and considerate conduct of the Governor-General, any
difference that existed had been partially allayed, and he had no
doubt that the next dispatches would show that harmony was per-
fectly restored.—(Cheers.)
General Coltman expressed his humble meed of gratitude to the
troops who had been engaged in the action with the Seikhs. He
would not go into particulars after the splendid orations which had
been delivered in both House of Parliament, and after the able
speeches of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman on the present
occasion. He merely rose to add his humble testimony to
that which had already been so well said respecting the bra-
very of the troops; still he would wish to say a few words
to enable the proprietors to appreciate the deeds of the soldiers who
had been engaged, and without which they could not value the
bravery they had shown. • Especially would he refer to the native
army. It was very inefficiently manned ; it was obliged to go into
ection with but very few officers.
An HON. PROPRIETOR said this was not the question.
The CHAIRMAN hoped the Hon. Proprietor (General Corefield)
would confine himself to the question. On the 18th of the month,
he would be happy to hear him on the subjects he was going into theta.
General COREFIELD desisted from proceeding further, and sat down.
Mr. PETER GORDON rose, and was proceeding to allude to a peti-
tion from Reading, presented to the House of Commons, the other
evening by 3lr. Bright, against the vote of thanks to the Indian army,
when he was called by several Proprietors to order. Ile then re-
ferred to the character pf the meeting, which he represented as prin-
cipally made up of military men, and therefore interested parties, and
was proceeding to di'ate on this topic, when
Sir PETER LAURIE rose to order. Ile said that other Hon. Gen-
tlemen had been called to order ter departing from the question, and
he did not see why the Hon. Gentleman now iu possession or the
Court should be allowed to do so.
The CHAIRMAN intimated to Mr. Gordon that he must confine him-
self to the question, else he would not be allowed to proce:d.
M. P. GORDON—Then, sir, I move that all the words of the re-
solution moved, following the words " after that," be struck out, and
the following be added, "that this t. taut deeply regrets the war
breaking out in India."
Considerable confus'on followed the announcement of this amend-
ment, which, however, fell stillborn for the want of a seconder.
Mr LusHINGTON, one of the Directors, said, that after
what had fallen from the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman,
he would net occupy their attention long. The point
he wished to allude to was the flat lily of the native army. The
greatest praise was due to them for the in liner in which they had
conducted themselves. Great attempts had been made to seduce
them, but without success.—(Hear, hear.) This fidelity he attri-
buted to the parental care of the Government. He was persuaded
that unless every indulgence had been given to the native scpoys
this fidelity would not have been shown. It was a satisfactory
circumstance, as it certainlye proved that the native army was
perfectlysatislied with the conduct of the Government towards them.
—(Hear.) Before sitting down he would allude to one officer that
was to be mentioned above all others, who had fallen—he referred
to General Sale.—(Hear.) Ile remembered that but a few months
'ago he presided over an entertainment given to that gallant
officer, when .he • (Mr. Lushington) saw him in health and
strength. He little dreamt then that so soon after
he should receive the tidings of his melancholy end -he
would not say melancholy end, for his end was glorious, while his
name will live in the memory of the co entry which he Served so well.
Colonel SYKE3 having briefly expressed himself respecting the
bravery of the troops,
Mr. G. THOMPSON said he had been struck by two facts on which
the -Chairman and Deputy-Chairman had enlarged, welch were the
discipline, largeness, and courage of the Seikh army, and the disparity
of the British army in regard to numbers. Whether this was only
done to justify more strongly the vote of-thanks, he would not say,
but he must remark lie was much struck with the signal discrepancy
between the dispatches of Major Ilroadfoot and actual facts. Re-
ferring to Major I3roadfoot's dispatch of the Out of Dectmber,
the Seikh army was described as in a state of dis-
organisation, while debauchery, confusion, and every species
of licentiousness pervaded Lahore. This account furnished to the
Governor-General was totally at variance with subsequent events
as given in the dispatches of Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Henry Har-
dingo. There must have been some gross errors in the information
that had beets given, else there would not hare been such a de-
ficiency of men at the point where the Seikh army crossed the Stifle',
described by the chairman anddeputy-chairman that day. Ile attributed
the massacre at Moodkee and at Ferozesbah to Sir H. Gough and Sir
Henry Hardinge relying on the information furnished by that Gallant
Officer, Major Broadfoot respecting the state of Lahore. On this head
they had been misinformed, and he mentioned the fact with the object
Of drawing the attention of the Directors to It. It was his deliberate
opinion that the loss of men had been occasioned by the false informa-
tion Punised to the Britsh-Governmnt.—Cries of "etion.") An Hort.h Psomeron rosei to order.e He thought the policy of the
proceeding relating to the late events should be discussed at another
time. It was important that oil the motion now before the Court
there should be an unanimous expression of opinion.
Mr. G. THOMPSON said he could have stated in as short a period
as that in which lie had been interrupted all he had to say. He re-
peated that the sate of things in Decembsr, 1845, was altogether
Mare% 19 whit it had Ineirepremteiin January, 1845, lied