The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-26 00:00:00

THE AFFAIRS OF SINDE.

We have merely time to call attention to the fol-
lowing important communication relative to Sinde,
made by Lord ELLENBOROUGH to the Secret Com-
mittee on the affairs of India. It leaves no doubt—
and this view we have always taken of the subject
—that Sir CHARLES NAPIER had no choice, and was
compelled in self-defence to occupy the country. The
document was laid before the meeting of Proprietors
held at the India-house, this day :

TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE SECRET CON
MITTEE.

Palace of Agra, March 13, 1843,

Although it was may anxious desire that a final and statisfac-
tory settlement should be made with the Ameers of Sinde,
without a recurrence to arms, I cannot but feel that the victory
of the 17th February has placed us in a position which will be
ultimately more advantageous than that I had endeavoured to
secure by pacific treaty.
In the occupution of Kurachee and the island of Bukkur,
and of both the adjacent towns of Sukkur and Roree, with
armed steamers upon the Indus, and the means, during seven
or eight months of the year, of rapidly reinforcing the troops
at those stations from Bombay and Ferozepore respectively, we
should have held a position which would have practically pro-
tected the navigation, and have given us military possession of
the Lower Indus ; still it was impossible to depend upon the
continued observance of treaties by the Ameers, notwithstand-
ing their release under the new treaty proposed to them from
pecuniary payments, the never-failing source of bitterness of
feeling and of dispute.
Delusion, as to the circumstances under which we retired
from Affghanistan, and ignorance of our real strength, which
they never experienced, would have induced a brave and bar-
barous people of plunderers to avail themselves of the first oc-
casion in which we might be involved in difficulties to endea-
vour to throw eff engagements, which they entered into with
reluctance, to compel our retirement from the Indus.
'I he war, which could not be for ever avoided, would have
been forced upon us at the most inconvenient time, and might
have produced a serious diversion of our force when we most
needed it.

Fortunately, the treachery of the Ameers, and the overween-
ing confidence, and the reckless violence of the Seloochees,
have brought on a crisis at the period at which we could with
least embarrassment encounter it, and the result has been the
most decisive victory gained on the best fought field.
Sir Charles Napier had my instructions more than three
months before the battle of Meanee. He was during all that
period at the head of a preponderating force ; but acting with
extreme forbearance, in the true spirit of a generous soldier, he
earnestly endeavoured to effect the objects of the Government
without using the military means at his disposal.
The firmness of the language he adopted, and the energy of
his measures, were best calculated to control a barbarous
Durbar, and had the Ameers been entirely masters of their
own troops, it seems to be doubtful, even now, whether he
would net have affected his purpose, and carried the treaty into
execution without actual hostilities.

The events which have occurred, give to Sir Charles Napier
the peculiar glory which attends the most decisive success in
war, obtained in the prosecution of measures, which had for
their object the preservation of peace.

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.)

CORN EXCHANGE-FRIDAY.

We have received about an average time-of-year supply of
English wheat up to our Market since Monday, yet the show of
samples was trifling. The finest parcels found buyers, at full quo-
tations; but, in other kinds, exceedingly little was doing. The
transactions in Foreign Wheat were wholly retail, at previous
rates. The supply of Barley was not larger. Superfine malt-
ing parcels were quite as dear ; but grinding and distilling sorts
had a downward tendency. The quantity of Malt on show was
small, yet the transactions in it were trifling, at late rates.
There was a large supply of Irish Oats on offer, which kept the
Market in a dull state, yet prices were not lower. Other Grain
as on Monday. _ _