The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-29 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE.

THANKS TO THE SINDIAN ARMY.

Yesterday a Special Court of the Proprietors of
East India Stock, was held at the East India House, con-
vened by the Court of Directors, for the purpose of
laying before the meeting resolutions of thanks adopted
by the Executive body of the Corporation, in reference
to the recent military operations in Sinde. The Chair
was taken by Mr. John Cotton, and the minutes of tho
last Court were read.
The CHAIRMAN acquainted the Court that since tho
last meeting various papers relative to compensation, &c.,
had been presented to Parliament, copies of which were
now laid on the Proprietors' table. He (the Chairman)
said he had to acquaint the Court ofX.roprietors, that it
had been specially summoned to consider resolutions
that had been passed by the Court of Directors, which
would now be read.

The Clerk then read the following resolutions :
" At a Court of Directors, held on Tuesday, the 20th of
February, 1844
" Resolved, by the ballot—That the thanks of this Court
be given to Major-General Sir Charles Napier, Knight Grand
Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, for the emi-
nent skill, energy, and gallantry displayed by him in the re-
cent military operations in Sinde, particularly in the two
decisive battles of Meeanee and Hyderabad.
" Resolved unanimously—That the thanks of this Court
be given to the several officers of the army, both European
and native, serving under Major-General Sir Charles Napier,
for their unwearied zeal and conspicuous gallantry.
" Resolved unanimously—That this Court doth highly ap-
prove and acknowledge the brave and meritorious conduct,
displayed by the non-commissioned officers and private sol-
diers, both European and native, engaged in the operations of
Sinde ; and that this resolution be signified to them by the
Commanders of the several corps." _ _

Gentlemen' when we last met in this Court we were
engaged in a discussion of the policy and justice of the
late proceedings in Sinde. We are now met under dif-
ferent circumstances. I am not about to say one word
as to the policy of what has been done; that is certainly
beside the present question. My duty is now with
military services, and with military services alone; and
in that view I desire to present to your notice Major-
General Sir Charles Napier and the gallant force under
his command in Sinde. You are all aware, that after a
most distinguished career in the Peninsular war, Sir
Charles Napier was placed by her Majesty on the staff
of the army in India, and that he was removed in Au-
gust, 1842, from the quiet station at Poonah, to the
important command of the British forces in Beloochistan
and Sinde. Whilst executing this military command,
he had to send his troops against the Beloochees, and,
need I say, what has been admitted and declared by the
highest military authorities in this country, that in the
performance of his duty he displayed remarkable vigour
and skill, and undaunted courage, and obtained brilliant
and decisive victories over large bodies of a brave and
determined enemy, under circumstances of unusual
difficulty and danger. The particular exploits are so
familiar to you and the public, that it would be an un-
necessary occupation of your time to enter into a detail
of them. Suffice it to say, that the battles of Meeanee
and Hyderabad may be considered as worthy of being
ranked among the most brilliant achievements of the
British army. I must further add, that the staunch
qualities of the British soldiers and sepoys were seldom
exposed to greater trials, or more successfully estab-
lished, than in those battles, and the medals for dis-
tinguished services in the field were never better or
more gallantly earned than those which are to be con-
ferred on the brave troops engaged on these memorable
occasions. Gentlemen, the motion which I have to
submit to you shall now be read.
The Clerk read the motion, which was an echo of the
resolution passed by the Court of Directors.
Sir JAMES LAW LUSHINOTON rose to second the mo-
tion. As having been connected with the army of India,
he had great pleasure in supporting the resolutions.
To ensure unanimity the resolutions had been framed
so as to avoid discussion, and that the thanks to Sir
Charles Napier, and the army of Sinde, might be passed
without opposition. For himself he could not suffi-
ciently express his admiration of the undaunted
courage, skill, and perseverence that had been displayed
by that gallant officer.—(Cheers.) lie had indeed shown
himself a master of the art of war. His Grace the Duke
of Wellington had expressed himself in the strongest
terms as to the manner in which Sir Charles Napier had
conducted the great operations in Sinde. That gallant
officer was not only entitled to the thanks of the Court
of Proprietors, but to the lasting gratitude of the coun-
try.—(Hear.) The promptitude that had been exhi-
bited in the attacks of the Sindians at Meeanee and
Hyderabad, without scarcely an hour's delay, deserved
the utmost praise. He (Sir J. L. Lushington) hoped
there would be no dissentient to the motion. As to
the valour of the troops, both European and native, there
could be but one opinion.—(Hear.) Their courage
had been equal to that of the best of the British army.
Mr. SULLIVAN said he must object to the resolutions,
to which he would give his most strenuous opposition.
The Hon. Proprietor then went into the history of the
Sinde war, and the conduct pursued towards the Ameers.
He quoted copiously from the " Blue books," but as the
matter has already been sufficiently referred to in the
debates in Parliament, and at the East India House,
it is not necessary to report this portion of his address
to the Court. He contended that Sir Charles Napier
had the option of preserving peace, but he preferred
war. The Gallant General held the pen in one hand,
and the sword in the other. He (Mr. Sullivan) ap-
plauded the skill and valour of Sir Charles Napier, but
condemned his policy. He had resolved to attack the
Ameers wherever he found them. The war was a bloody
and wanton one, and therefore he could not thank Sir
Charles Napier or his army. There had nut been, he
contended, the least necessity to move a single troop.
He trusted the Proprietors would not stain the records
of that Court by having inserted upon them the resolu-
tions that had been come to by the Court of Directors.
He should move a direct negative to them, and wished
to ask for the proceedings of the Court of Directors on
the subject.
Mr. FIELDER asked if there were any dissents among
the Directors to the proposition ?
The CHAIRMAN replied in the negative. It was not
usual to proclnce the proceedings of the Court of Direc-
tors upon matters brought before them. He should ob-
ject to the reasons being given.
Mr. WEEDING said had he known the course the Hon.
Proprietor (Mr. Sullivan) intended to adopt, he would
have come prepared to rebut the statements that had
that day been made. A perusal of the papers that had
been presented relative to the affairs-of Sinde, had con-
vinced him (Mr. Weeding) that Sir Chailes Napier de-
served praise for his humanity as well as for his military
skill.—(Hear, hear.) In one of the dispatches he wrote
to the Governor-General that he kept up the strictest
discipline, so as to protect the people of the country.
At :the battle of Meeanee, while emerging from the
desert, he had to perform the most extraordinary duties.
After the battle of Hyderabad, the wounded Be-
loochees, who fought under the belief that no quarter
would be given, were collected, while the sword
had scarcely been put into the scabbard, and as-
sistance rendered to those unfortunate individuals.
Under all these circumstances, he (Mr. Weeding) was
surprised at the mawkish opposition of the Honourable
Proprietor.
Mr. MARRIOTT was opposed to the vote of thanks. The
Gallant General was bent on war. That was his animus.
The agent of Sinde was sick and tired of war, but his was
a moral illness. Wyrotat animo magis guam corpore.
Mr. FIELDER held that this was not a political but a
military question.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. TwINING expressed regret that a unanimous vote
could not be come to. There had been a combination of
military skill and humanity, which was so distinguished a
feature on the part of English commanders. The highest
compliment had been paid to Sir Charles Napier by the
Duke of Wellington, whose military career commenced
in India, and was crowned at the battle of Waterloo. He
(Mr. Twining) would most cordially support a vote of
thanks to Sir Charles Napier, and the gallant officers
and soldiers under his command.

Mr. SULLIVAN, in explanation, observed that he had
not denied the military talents of SirCharlesNapior,who
might have had peace if he had not have preferred war.
Sir R. CAMPBELL (a Director) condemned the policy
of Lord Auckland, but his excuse might be the example
set by his predecessor ; and he (Sir Robert) considered
Sir Charles Napier felt himself perfectly justified in the
course he had pursued.
Sir JEREMIAH BRYANT contended that this was not a
political question. He strongly eulogised the character
of the Sepoys.
Mr. BOLT MACKENZIE considered there was no diffi-
culty in separating the military from the political ques •
tion. lie thought that the civil -lets of Sir Charles
Napier could not be approved of, as they had led to the
necessity of military operations. tile, therefore, would
give the Gallant General thanks for his military, but
not for his civil acts. The Duke of Wellington had
committed a political blunder at Vienna, but no one
could dispute his glorious military career. No army
would accept thanks if a leader such as Sir Charles
Napier was excluded.—(llear.)
General GALLOWAY (a Director) spoke in favour of
the motion, though he did not approve of the conduct
of Sir C. Napier. If ever they had a great military man,
such a man was Sir Charles .Napier.—(Cheers )
The CHAIRMAN then directed the clerk to read -the
first resolution of the day.
On the question being put, the resolution was carried
by a large majority. Only four hands were held up
against it. The second and third resolutions were car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. SULLIVAN gave notice of motion for the next
Court, for' the production of the minutes of the proceed-
ings in the Court of Directors on this subject, &c.
The Court then, adjourned. „

COLBURN'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR MARCH.
—The utmost that need be said of this number of Mr. Col-
burn's popular periodical is, that, both for variety and inte-
rest, it even surpasses the two preceding Numbers of the pre-
sent year. The opening paper is a Legend of Languedoc, by
" Ingoldsby," entitled " The Lord of Thoulouse," spiritedly
illustrated by Leech, in which magic and teetotalism form
the subjects of the writer's facetious powers. This legend is
one of the best Ingoldsby has yet given us. The third part
of the curious " Talleyrand Papers" divulges the secret his-
tory of the intrigues which led to the capture and imprison-
ment of the Spanish Princes at Valencay. The Marchioness
of Londonderry describes in a very lively manner her visits
to the Mosque of St. Sophia and the Seraglio, and her pre-
sentation to the Sultan. Mrs. Trollope concludes her spirited
history of " The Butt," the denouement of which will greatly
surprise her readers. The " Letters from Hong-Kong and
Macao" are also concluded in this number, and give a very
characteristic picture of the condition of the population of
China. " The Old Forest Ranger" contributes some stirring
passages from his Indian diary ; and Mr. Lamar!
eßlApe_hanzl
Cook's,aca
gives us one of his pleasant papers called "Enqui_r_. Within."
'
etreactthe
Banedsidalsos thoneseefarrotmicltesh,etpheenreoifs
ma cisshazninet
trresdofanDls_l7
tal nouvellette entitled "The Genoese Mask, and a highly
etslytotoPeaat
Socie-
ties." The paper,
greatest attention is that on the Censorship of the English
Drama, as exemplified in the prohibition by the Lord Chain-
humo humorous
artideemhb"lowej;!enrg, sundrywhi is
berlain, of Unhistorical comedy of " Richelieu in Love."