The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-11 00:00:00

THE LATE SIR CHARLES HOTHAM.

The following letter has been addressed to thq Editor
of the Tinter

Sir,—ln one one of your leaders of to-day you affirm
that milirary and naval officers are generally unfitted by
their profession to glvern our colonies. You illustrate
your argument by the acts and death of Captain
Sir Charles llotharu at Victoria, and in so doing you
have committed a great injustice to that distinguishei
officer. You write—

"An unfortunate instance of the unfitness of military and
naval officers for the government of colonies is afforded by the
history of the governor whose death has given occasion to
these observations. Sir Charles Hotham is a linitted on all
hautls to have been au excellent officer, having shown on
many occasions the most undaunted courage, and once—un-
happily for him—very considerable dexterity in managing a
negotiation with such assistance as he could derive from the
cannon of his frigate. On the strength of these excellent qua
lities Sir C. Hotham was sent to govern the turbulent colony
of Victoria," &c.
Now this statement, incorrect in fact, and placed in
context with the rest of your rrticle, would make your
readers suppose that Sir C. Hotham was merely a brave
sailor, who had rendered no more difficult and fruitful
service to his country than that of forcing the blockade
of the Parana and Buenos AyreP, which he accomplished
many years ago after a desperate action.
Far from this being the case, Sir C. Hotham was n
highly-educated gentleman and linguist. Early in 1352
he submitted to Lord Granville, then Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs, a most able paper, showing the immense
importance to this country of opening the internal trade
of South America to Europe through the vast channels
at the Parana and Paraguay, which pierce it for 1,200
nni 1,500 miles.
Immediately afterwards Lord Derby's Government
took office, and I sent Sir C. Hotham to negotiate a
coinmercial treaty with these riverain States. Former
fe-lures, the proverbial jealousy and sluggishness of those
races, their continual civil wars, and their uncivilised con•
dition, rendered the attempt almost hopeless. After 18
month, in 1353, it appeared to be quite so to Lord
Clarendon, for, at the moment of Sir C. Hotham's com-
plete success, the ship that took out his recall crossed
on the Atlantic the one which bore home his treaty. I
need not say that none was ever signed more important
to British commerce, and we owe it entirely to the tact,
patience, and experience among a peculiar people, die-
p'-a, e 1 by Cal.tain Sir C. Hotham in this negotiation.
To this eminent service—which you totally ignore—
he owed his appointment as Governor of Victoria. I
may add that it was forced upon him and urgently de-
precated by him. His heart was with the fleets, then
prop :ring for an inevitable war, and, speaking of them,
lie sail t) me, "We shall do nothing against Russia
without gun-boats and mortar-vessels." Subsequent
events have proved how rightly he judged.
I have no wish to enter into a controversy respecting
the comparative merits of military and civil officers iu
civil services, but I know that in the diplomatic and
consular line military and naval rank (cateris paribus)
bring with them to certain courts and countries great
personal influence. Such wa3 the case with Sir C.
Hotham in South America, and I am convinced a civilian
would not there have succeeded.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
Whitehall-gardens, April 10. MALMESISUBY.

* So f:u• from our ignoring it, Lord Malmesbury ignores
the extract he has himself made from our article, in which
we especially give Sir C. Hotham credit for this very negotia-

OUDE AND ITS ANNEXATION.

The Nizam of the Deccan is the last of the Mussulman
Princes of India. On the 4th inst. General Outram
placed the draught of a treaty before the King of Oude.
The wretched Prince was true to his character to the last.
His life has been one scene of wilful degradation.t He has
cast away even that semblance of self-respect which the
worst of his class have hitherto preserved. Eight years
ago one , spark of manly pride, one display of energy,
might have redeemed his kingdom and the fortunes of his
house. He marriel a mehtranee instead. At the last
moment, when nothing remained but a dignified submis-
sion, be displayed a childish arrogance, refused to sign the
treaty, and threatened to appeal his "case" to the House
of Commons. His obstinacy provel as unavailing as his
menaces. On the 7th of February the troops halted out-
side Lucknow, the proclamation appeared, and Oude
was included in the thin red line. We cannot repress a
feeling of cordial pleasure at the reasons assigned for the
irrevocable step. There is no pretext of expected hos-
tility or treacherous designs, or even of injury appre-
hended to the British power. For the first time in its
history the Government of India assumes its true posi-
tion, stands forward as the guardian of the millions,
and strikes down a throne solely because it is op-
pressive. It has been the high fortune of Lord Dal-
honsie in eight years to add four kingdoms to the
British Empire. The first was annexed because its
soldiery, in a moment of profound peace, forced on us
the alternative of sovereignty or ruin. The second
was conquered to teach a barbarous Court that our
flag must be respected even in the swamps. The third
pas,ed to us by the simple right which gives to the State
the property of the childless. The fourth has been ab-
sorbed, not to avert a danger, not to avenge an insult,
not by any right of inheritance, but to save the million.s
who suffered from a tyranny to which that of Naplesis
enlightened freedom. There are those who will think the
last cause not the most unworthy of the British name.
The personnel of the Administration h
fav as been or
receganisiveedd.
Most of them will, we think, be ourably
Gen. Outram, whatever his abilities for civil asiministra-
aes
anis etometihael
reputa-
tion tion, has at least displayed that moral courage which is
to an administrator what a backbohn
body. Mr. Couper, his secretary,humanuta-
tion which the public will speedily be able to confirm.
Mr. Gubbins is the officer who put do ma infanticide at
Agra by his accuracy in the collection of statistics.
Mr. Ommanney, though less known, had as a young
man a reputation which he has since bad little
opportunity to increase. The only appointment we re-
gret is that of Captain Hayes. As acting Resident, he
repeatedly displayed qualities fitted for duties somewhat
higher than those of an aide•de-camp. A place in the
commission would have given a more fitting occupation
to the officer of all others most acquainted with Onde.
For the rest, we need only remark that the Administra-
tion will contain a most unusual number of young men.
General Outram and his military coadjutors are officers
of long experience cr service ; but one commissioner,
Mr. C:,ristian, is of only 13 years' standing ; another,
Mr. Wingfield, is of only 15. The secretary is of only
10. In hands so young Oude should occupy at least as
large a space in our columns as heretofore. The only
difference will be that the monotony of imbecility, broken
only by some astounding crime, will be exchanged for
the progress we have so repeatedly chronicled in the
Punjaub.— Friend of India, Feb. 14.
.ad I

Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East
India House, when the new directors, elected ou Wed-
Lesd3.y last, viz., John Harvey Astell, Esq., Elliot
Macnaghten, Esq., Ross Donnelly Mangles, Esq., M.P.,
Charles Mills, Esq , and Martin Tucker Smith, Esq.,
M.P., took the oath and their seats. Colonel William
Henry Sykes was chosen chairman, and Ross Donnelly
Mangles, Esq., M.P., deputy chairman, for the year en-
Luirg.