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
more conspicuous than the name which is borne by the
Gallant Officer who commanded in the battles of Meeanee
and Hyderabad. I believe that those who hear that
name, stimulated by the example of their prede -essors,
will continue to exhibit the same courage and resol'u'tion
in their country's cause, and that that motto which they
bear on their shield --.' Heady, aye roar' y,"—will be not
only their metto, but the ebeirpeeteristic of their con-
duct. Sir, the gallant officer—Sir Charles Napier
—when he weeealled upon to take the coin-
Maud, be el attained the age of sixty-two years.
assumed it when shattered in the service of his
Petintry ; and it is to that gallant spirit, controlled and
directed—it is to the example Met 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 of Meeanee and Hyderabad.—
(near, hear,) Time 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 he fool-hardy.—to the superficial they may appear
the result of a lucky chance; but, however desperate
they. ally appear, when undertaken and superintended
wit,,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
attch 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 coiflict, 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 weuld give
rise. tut I think it is impossible to peruse the papers,
hod to consider the position in which Sir C. Napier was
Plated, without coming to a conclusion, not only
that the wisest c mrse which Sir Charles Napier could
take was the encountering at once the enemy
without delay, but that if he had pursued any other
eintree, the safety of the army would have been corn-
Promised.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) It is difficult to
say what might have been the result if any other course
had been pnrstiel ; but it' 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 Ameer:
to congrega e their forces, in determining at once to
bring his forces of 2,500 men, or, to speak more pr
Deily, 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 Irseane arrived at the mouth of the Indus. It
ee,'s of no use for Hon. Members to speculate as to what
"ng'ht 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, Lore
Auckland having determined upon the advance into
Affghanisten, sent a force from Bombay under the cons-
'nand of Sir John Keane, for the purpose of entering
into some negotiations with the Ameers, or of
emaking Sinde the basis of his military operations,
Keane,
Auckland, describing the operations of Sir John
Aearie, gives this account of the conduct and the inten-
tions of the Ameers. (The Right Hon. Baronet then
tead an extract from the dispatch of Lord Auckland,
stating .that every artifice was reiorted to by the Ameers
to arrest and impede the movemlnts of the army, while
they were making the most fulsome professions of friend-
ip and devotion.) Sir John Keane himself said that.
Sinde had assumed such an aspect that it took the first
Vace in the operations of the army. If Lieutenant
f?astwiele had not been extremely prudent, he would
have been exposed to exactly the same attack
which had berm 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 •
!eheY could not determine whether they would accept
Vie treaty or not ; on the 23d their troops were assem-
bled on all hands, and then the reply of the Ameer swas,
.nat 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
C'''nfidence, stating that they wished further time for
Consideration, whilst every hour was bringing fresh
troops to their assistance ; and four days imeing elapsed,.
Ito," their -preparations being completed, they say that
the treaty cannot be signed ; that the Embassy may
ataY or go as they pleased, but that the Ameers could
give them no pledge of safety, having no control over
. Ere Beloochees. St r John Keane said, " the whole coun-
t'- in front and rear of us is now aroused and under
athl4, and troops are flocking from all parts to the
Capital." Under these circumstances, he requested that
assistance might b' sent to him as soon as possible.
hY did not the Ameers then attack the British army
hiecause Sir Willoughby Cotton, with a large force under
hs command, was coming towards Hyderabad.—(Hear,
bte.ar.) Shah Soojah's troops took possession
a Place from which the Ameers' troops had withdrawn,
and Sir John Keane on the opposite bank was medi-
tatinge the adoption of a course precisely similar to that
Virstied b
Sir Charles Napier. On the 31st January,
r
henry I ottinger finding that he was supported by
rn an immense force, told them he could make no
abatement
cof his terms, and used these words to them,
b:holeJd a shot be fired the whole of your country shall
SeiZed, and ynu shall be dispossessed of it." The
Ameers finding four or five battalions of British Infantry
81)Posed to them on the Ist of February, signified to
t e, klienry Pottinger that they were ready
force of to his terms ; but had there been only a
°f 2,000 or 2,500 men opposed to them, notwith-
"'Tiding their e delusive professions of friendship, it was
whh'ghlyProbable that they would have attempted to over-
"ln the British force. Sir Charles Napier, however,
Was not
in the position of Sir John Keane and Sir Wil-
tyle'tghbY Cotton ; he had but 2,500 men to oppose to
: Ameers, and, in my opinion, there is conclusive
.
Prof
that if he had paused one day—if he had at
jalPfel to retreat--if he had not, in fact, taken that
retiree which his own wisdom, combined with his expe-
111.!hee and military skill, dictated, not one day would
.elapsed before the army would have been cut off;
04
if the glory of the British arms had not been sullied
disasters would have occurred which, following the
disaster aster. at Caubul, would have involved consequences
°f which it would have been very difficult to foresee the
duac•,l issue.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, in estimating the con -
era' of Sir Charles Napier, I do not think the chief
ts!'" is due to him for military skill or personal valour;
wistlel!dr the chief praise is due to him for the judgment
f "' 11 he displayed in so critical a position. Knowing how
earful • - s
of 4, might have been the consequences of a repetition
his
disaster at Caubul, he had the moral courage
eke own responsibility to act in opposition to the acl-
anti which he had received, and to commit both the army
the his own reputation to the fate of war, and it is for
enihrhibition of moral courage which he made in deter-
es n.g upon the attack, that I think Sir Charles Napier
ing)QerY entitled to our thanks.—(Cheers.) In detail-
"At tee action of Meettnee, Sir Charles Napier said,
th'e one time, my Lord, the courage and numbers of
bur enemy again, the 22d, 25th, and 12th Regiments
time'eavily 'in that part of the battle. There was no
the to be lost, and I sent orders to the cavalry to force
lahtlrylgeh.xt of the enemy's line. This order was otherregi ecuted by time 9th Bengal Cavalry, and a
et in"t h The de:ails shall be after e ards
ateA,
that ufor the struggle on our right and centre was at.
Ile r time so fierce that I could not go to the left."
seas emained at the post of danger,
beteeling that the time
his ett°pine when, whatever might the consequences of
do his
necessity for an example of personal devo-
others' part, was so great that he must leave to
tire tne account which it might be necessary to
• ten ; and there (lid that Gallant man stand, within
l• or
leve, 4., fifteen yards of the water-course in which, I be-
.. tre,,s7.s the whole force of the enemy, cheering on his
• sibie'foeY an example of valour which made it impos
infiee„,"_any man in that army to resist its contagious
Atiantie, and impelled all, like their gallant corn-
eervie'er, to devote their lives to their country's
*—(Loud cheers.) Sir, I think it is un-
- e eessee
'Y for me to trouble the House with further details.
the trir.tas.king them to place upon record their sense of
can HarY services of the army and its commander.
ether 'Pon them for no expression of opinion on any
I%l,4lP:int connected with the operations in Sinde; but,
Iyhat ;,,,ats Clone
owhat was achieved by these troops, looking to
lheYby every man on those two days, I think
that fo be disposed to come to a unanimous resolution
Jestly eciseeh exploits the thanks of this House are
‘vere nee—(Cheers.) With respect to some who
with tZgaged in that battle, we must mingle
'that of.' expression of our gratitude to them
and rehtt. our deep sympathy with their friends
• anieens- The dispatches of Sir Charles Napier
merit or tVtistly ascribed to individuals much of the
terishahle ese Victories. He has left, I believe, an am-
t is wino! record of the exploits which they performed.
sehie of impossible to lament deaths so glorious as
merits . those which have occurred in these engage-
- !r! a me:-Tear, hear.) He speaks of one gallant officer
lids
far/7 r which; if anything can give consolation to
solace
wilie,nd relations, must prove to them the highest
11„ean be offered to them under their heavy
' the says "I have deeply to regret the loss
seAvej brae and exCellent Capt. Barrett of the 9th Light
the fwallY',7„h_O.fell honourably in the midst of the battle; also
loathtin"! Lieutenant Smith, of the Bombay Artillery.
the ereas'urPasesed and desperate valour he galloped to
hill, t,, of the battle, and rode up to the top of the
tffect- see
bsir, his guns would bear with the greatest
lie ut the performance of that act he lost his
wthneere could be no inscription on his tomb
we sharableall than this.—(Hear, hear.) I trust, Sir,
hi,. now proceed to bestow upon those gallant
'CZ the
Confer ;
o_ol -st reward which a grateful country can
nation d t.t. We shall allow you, Sir, as the organ of the
the officersc to express to Sir Charles Napier, and to
and miC en tinder his command, to the Euro—
ean and 1
lowest t
, rank, who
Shared
men of the highest and of the
net are investe. ared on those days a common danger,
we shall
eoneluded vith a
led COnve common lory that to them all
midst loud che3e*(r)su.)a-s--
gement of t irough
amPehlie gratitude. our 4gan, the acknow-
. Peed( of the 11'
he to sany
Lord JOIIN (The Right Hon. Baronet
USeElst. said that, after the eloquent
te
too.o second the motion Wit Hon. Gentleman there was little left for
few nights ago to state his opinion
Pi., the 'flora
ce OCCaSI
ayed in extricatin before the Howse.—(Haar,
military skill which Sir Charles
ourage°Lad
and
it
was room the perilous
Aapier dig 1
.anself and the array under his
"Innland
for!)o!tion in which they were plated;
Pretsions necessary him then to give additional ex-
f
Even those who differed in respect
_o_ Tat
p:t hoist
°}ll.)sinic7l;duct which was of a political character
Std
met
Osaki
eonduet e military
:Ith,taeaptid:ni,igeirre_tithee
ffililtleh,vere.tdted courage, and persevering
%au -
Hear, bear.) At an ad-
' You oirrour and enerir of •
men could dig South.
P ay more of those
quaaties—