The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-13 00:00:00

Napier.—(Cheers.) Sir, I say, that in the record of
gallant exploits, civil, military, and naval, I am justi-
fied in asserting that there is no name which will stand
mire consoicuous than the name which is borne by the
Gallant (I:ficer who commanded in the battles of Meeanee
and Hyderabad. I believe that those who bear that
name, stimulated by the example of their prede essors,
will continue to eehibit the same courage and resolution
in their country's cause, and that that motto w'ich they
bear on their shield—" Ready, aye ready,"—will be not
only their motto, but the characteristic of their con-
duct. Sir, the gallant officer—Sir Charles Napier
—a-hen he wascalled upon to take the com-
mand. had attained the age of sixty-two years.
He assumed it :v: en shattered in the service of bis
country ; and it is to that gallant spirit, controlled and
directed—it is to the example that he set to the troops,
inspiring, as it did confidence in their commander, that
we must mainly attribute, in my opinion, the success of
our arms in the actions f Meeanee and Hyderabad.—
(Hear, hear,) The quality of actions mainly depends
upon the character of those who superintend and under-
take them. The actions which have been performed by
members of that family, may appear to the pusillanimous
to be fool-hardy.—to the superficial they may appear
the result of a lucky chance; but, however desperate
they may appear, when undertaken and superintended
with a combination of such skill, experience, and per-
sonal prowess, as was brought to bear on the command
of the British army on the Indus—however desperate
such actions may appear when undertaken by ordinary
minds, they are reconcilable with the soundest calcula-
tions of prudence when directed by such men as Sir
Charles Napier.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, there is one point
to which lam particularly desirous of adverting. If it
could be imputed to Sir Charles Napier that he had
rashly sought a couffict, that he had needlessly brought
the British army in contact with the force of the Ameers,
I doubt whether any praise which we could bestow on his
valour would compensate for the painful reflections to
which such a conviction in his own mind would give
rise. But I think it is impossible to peruse the papers,
and to consider the position in which Sir C. Napier was
placed, without coming to a conclusion, not only
that the wisest course which Sir Charles Napier could
take was the encountering at once the enemy
without delay, but that if he had pursued any other
course, the safety of the army would have been com-
promised.—(Hear, hear, anti cheers.) It is difficult to
say what might have been the result if any other course
had been pursued ; but if there be any man who enter-
tains a doubt as to the policy of the course which Sir
Charles Napier pursued, in not permitting the Ameers
to congregate their forces, in determining a', once to
bring his forces of 2,500 men, or, to speak more pro
perly, of 2,000 men against a force seven or eight
times their number, I ask him only to read
the account of what passed in 1839, at the time when
Sir John Keane arrived at the mouth of the Indus. It
is of no use for Hon. Members to speculate as to what
might have been the effect if Sir Charles Napier had
withdrawn his troops. If they read the testimony of Sir
John Keane, as to what was the actual conduct of the
Ameers in 1839, they must be convinced that Sir
Charles Napier had no alternative but at once to front
the danger that stared him in the face. In 1839, Lord
Auckland having determined upon the advance into
Affghanistan, sent a force from Bombay under the com-
mand of Sir John Keane, for the purpose of entering
into some negotiations with the Ameers, or of
making Sinde the basis of his military operations,
Lord Auckland, describing the operations of Sir John
-Keane, gives this account of the conduct and the inten-
tions of the Ameers. (The Might Hon. Baronet then
read an extract from the dispatch of Lord Auckland,
stating that every artifice was resorted to by the Ameers
to arrest and impede the movemants of the army, while
they were making the most fulsome professions of friend-
ship and devotion.) Sir John Keane himself said that
Sinde had assumed such an aspect that it took the first
place in the operations of the army. If Lieutenant
Eastwick had not been extremely prudent, he would
have been exposed to exactly the same attack
which had been made on Major Outram. Sir
John Keane said that on the 20th of January
the treaty was given to the Ameers. On the 21st they
desired to have it postponed ; on the 22d they said that
they could not determine whether they would accept
the treaty or not ; on the 23d their troops were assem-
bled on all hands, and then the reply of the Ameer swag,
that the treaty must be sent back, as they would not
sign it. In 1839 they pursued precisely the same
course which they attempted to pursue in 1843 ;
they made the same professions of friendship and
confidence, stating that they wished further time for
consideration, whilst every hour was bringing fresh
troops to their assistance ; and four d tys having elapsed,
and their preparations being completed, they say that
the treaty cannot be signed; that the Embassy may
stay or go as they pleased, but that the Ameers could
give them no pledge of safety, having no control over
the Beloochees. S'r John Keane said, " the whole coun-
try in front and rear of us is now aroused and under
arms, and troops are flocking from all parts to the
capital." Under these circumstances, he requested that
assistance 'night be sent to him as soon as possible.
Why did not the Ameers then attack the British army ?
Because Sir Willoughby Cotton, with a large force under
his command, was coming towards Hyderabad.—(Hear,
hear.) Shah Soojah's troops took possession
of a place from which the Ameers' troops had withdrawn,
and Sir John Keane on the opposite bank was medi-
tating the adoption of a course precisely similar to that
pursued by Sir Charles Napier. On the 31st January, •
Sir Henry Pottinger finding that he was supported by
such an immense force, told them he could make no
abatement of his terms, and used these words to them,
" Should a shot be fired the whole of your country shall
be seized, and you shall be dispossessed of it." The
Ameers finding four or five battalions of British Infantry
opposed to them on the Ist of February, signified to
Sir Henry Pottinger that they were ready
to submit to his terms ; but had there been only a
force of 2,000 or 2,500 men opposed to them, notwith
standing their delusive professions of friendship, it was
highly probable that they would have attempted to over-
whelm the British force. Sir Charles Napier, however,
Was not in the position of Sir John Keane and Sir Wil-
loughby Cotton ; he had but 2,500 men to oppose to
the Ameers, and, in my opinion, there is conclusive
proof that if he had paused one day—if he had at-
tempted to retreat—if he had not, in fact, taken that
course which his own wisdom, combined with his expe-
rience and military skill, dictated, not one day would
have elapsed before the army would have been cut off;
and if the glory of the British arms had not been sullied
a disaster would have occurred which, following the
disaster at Caubul, would have involved consequences
of which it would have been very difficult to foresee the
final issue.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, in estimating the con-
duct of Sir Charles Napier, I do not think the chief
praise is due to him for military skill or personal valour;
I think the chief praise is due to him for the judgment
which he displayed in so critical a position. Knowing how
fearful might have been the consequences of a repetition
of the disaster at Caubul, he had the moral courage
on his own responsibility to act in opposition to the ad-
vice which he had received, and to commit both the army
and his own reputation to the fate of war, and it is tor
the exhibition of moral courage which he made in deter-
mining upon the attack, that I think Sir Charles Napier
especially entitled to our thanks.--(Cheers.) In detail-
ing the action of Meeanee, Sir Charles Napier said,
" At one time, my Lord, the courage and numbers of
the enemy against the 22d, 25th, and 12th Regiments
bore heavily in that part of the battle. There was no
time to be lost, and I sent orders to the cavalry to force
the right of the enemy's line. This order was very gal-
lantly executed by the 9th Bengal Cavalry, and another
regiment of horse. The details shall be afternards
stated, for the struggle on our right and centre was al
that time so fierce that I could not go to the left."
He remained at the post of danger, feeling that the time
was come when, whatever might be the consequences of
his fall, the necessity for an example of personal devo
tion on his part, was so great that he must leave to
others the account which it might be necessary to
give ; and there did that Gallant man stand, within
ten or fifteen yards of the water-course in which, I be-
lieve, was the whole force of the enemy, cheering on his
troops by an example of valour which made it impos-
sible for any man in that army to resist its contagious
influence, and impelled all, like their gallant com-
mander, to devote their lives to their country's
service.—(Loud cheers.) Sir, I think it is un-
necessary for me to trouble the House vvi- h further details.
I am asking them to place upon record their sense of
the military services of the army and its commander.
I call upon them for no expression of opinion on any
other point connected with the operations in Sinde; but,
looking to what was achieved by these troops, looking to
what was done by every man on those to o days, I think
they will be disposed to come to a unanimous resolution
that for such exploits the thanks of this House are
justly due.—(Cheers.) With respect to some who
were engaged in that battle, we must mingle
with the expression of our gratitude to theme
that of our deep sympathy with their friends
and relations. The dispatches of Sir Charles Napier
wisely and justly ascribed to individuals much of the
merit of these victories. He has left, I believe, an im-
perishable record of the exploits which they performed.
It is almost impossible to lament deaths so glorious as
some of those which have occurred in these engage-
ments.—(Hear, hear.) He speaks of one gallant officer
in a manner which, if anything can give consolation to
his family and relations, must prove to them the highest
solace which can be ()tiered to them under their heavy
affliction, He says, "I have deeply to regret the loss
of the brave and excellent Capt. Barrett of the 9th Light
Cavalry,who fell honourably in the midst of the battle; also
the fall of Lieutenant Smith, of the Bombay Artillery.
With unsurpassed and desperate valour he galloped to
the front of the battle, and rode up to the top of the
hill, to see where his guns would bear with the greatest
effect, but in the performance of that act he lost his
life." Sir, there could be no inscription on his tomb
more honourable than this.—(Hr, hear.) I trust, Sir,
that we shall now proceed to bestow upon those gallant
men the highest reward which a grateful country can
confer ; that we shall allow you, Sir, as the organ of the
national voice, to express to Sir Charles Napier, and to
the officers and men under his .eonnnand, to the Euro-
pean and the Sepoy, men of the highest and of the
lowest rank, who shared on those days a common wager,and are invested with a common glory, that to them al}
we shall convey, through you as our organ, the aeknoW,
jedgement of public gratitude. (The Right Hon. Baronet
concluded amidst loud cheers.)
Lord JOHN RJJS.SELL said that, after the eloquent
speech of the Right Hon, peetleman there cvas little left for
him to say but to second the motion Were the House.—( Hear,
hear.) lie took occasion a few nights ago to state 44 opinion
of the moral courage and militarytan"ld which Sir Charles
Napier displayed in extricating.himsethe army under his
command from the iieM9ns position which they were placed;
and it was not necessary for la4l then to give additional ex.
pressions of his opinion. Even those vlr differed in respect
must admire FailitaFY skill, exalted courage, aniti)erseveltsg to that pert of his conduct which was of a palit,ies). phpacter
conduct of the Gallant Ogcer.—( Hear, hear.) At an at&
vanced age he evinced all the rigour and enero of nith.
more of those coAtis—
Perhaps few young men could display