Star.
London, England, 1819-03-05 00:00:00

.upon Mr. Elphingaete, the British Attantuadoz: the*
resident at his cm% The nada of ?Str. ElPhil4tAine.
is fathiliar alike to tlieliteratim Of Ida einnttrt,•:ll4
every other subject that can Indicate eetraarenary
talents, diligence, and zeal,:—(llear, heer.)-4'hat
attack, •I need not say, wss repelled with a degree of
military courage, not to be looked fbiin the ordinary
range of diplomatic charactersi*d-thsplayed a reso-
lution and a bravery 'worthy of k ethounitnate Gene-
ral, even amongst Generals whose fame is already
known to be of no common stamp. That attack was
too serious to be mistaken ; and hostilities almost im-

mediately commenced. So ample still were the pro-
visions of Lord Hastings, for any new emergency,
that although not calculating upon this fresh attack,
and after effecting so much as he previously had
done, there yet remained enough to occupy a consi-
derable portion of his troops, before the expulsion of
the treacherous Rajah from his Throne could be ac-
complished. But he was very speedily reduced, and
all the effects of his secret concert with the Rajah of
Nagpore at once discovered and defeated. Such
defection was not expected from that Chief, as he
had been not only placed, but maintained upon his
throne by the British Power. And his attack upon
the Resident at his Court; met art equally courageous
defence as had been offered under similar etrcum-

stances by Mr. Elphinstone to the Peishwa. The.
Marquis of Hastings very-naturally thought he could
rely on the fidelity of a Chief; who had received -nci-
thing but benefits from the British Power; but inas-
much as he had considered his security unlikely to
be disturbed, and was therefore to a certain degree
unprepared for what occurred, so was his hazard by
far the greater and his success the more remarkable
triumphant, The success in both cases was the
same. The resistance of the Rajah and the Peishwa
wits unavailing, and the result of ate attack on both,
a-vi, ctory in one case, and entire submission in the
other. And if a difference at all exists in their con,
ditions, it is, that the Peishwa from being a fugitive,
is now a captive ; and the Rajah is still a wanderer,
without being abld of course to bring any thing of a
formidable description again to disturb our Govern-
ment in that quarter. But though this be his condition,
I cannot as yet safely state that The war is at an end.
In such a scene of complicated hostility, covering,
and occupying a space, before which all European
campaigns must shrink in ihe comparison, it is quite
impossible for, me to attempt any thing like a parti-
cular detail of the operations that occurred, The
feats of prowess and the deeds of gallantry, were'al-
most so contemporaneously performed, that I feel
totally unable to tread the mazes of their glory, with
either justice to the British tdoops or satisfaction-to
my own feelings of their tnerits—(Hear, hear.) In
every instanceduring the campaign the valour of the
British troops has been singularly conspicuous.- But
when I say so of the British troops, let me guard the
House against any such erroneous impression as that
the contest was 011 'as between tried and valiant Eng-
lish soldiers, and the peaceable and inoffensive natives
of the Indian powers. Let it not be considered as
European valour against untaught Indians—for, out
of 90,000 troops, the whole amount of the army en-
gaged in the campaign, 10,000 only were British
troops ; and if
_the natives, who composed the re-
maining number of that army, who belonged to the
forces of the Honourible East Indii Company, tried
to be sure, and disciplined by British Officers, I
can say, that they emulated the example they had
been set by those who taught them—(Hear, hear.)
In ;kill and education the British were superior, but
in attachment, courage, and perseverance, the na-
tive troops have fully equalled all that the most san-
guine could have expected. In justice to the native
troops on the Establishment of Bombay, it should
be known, that many of them were recruited in the
Peishwa's country. Their families, their dwellings,
property, -and friends were under his controul ; and
he spared no threats, allurements. -or persuasions, to
enlist them in his service. But all was ineffectual.
They came to the british Officers with the pledges of
their attachment, with the proofs of the temptations
which had been offered them ; and, in many instan-
ces, the deadliest vengeance fell on those who bad
the courage to resist them. This, however, rather
exasperated than .cooled their • ardour, and gave a
fresh and further impetus to their exertions. This
quality of combined courage, and attachment was
never more conspicuous than WI one occasion which
I shall particularize.; and .1 do so as well to pay a
tribute to the native troops, as to the talents of an
Officer commanding them, but whose rank, I am
sorry to add, prevents his name from being entered
on the Journals of the House. A small body of
troops, amounting to betwein 900 and 1,000 men,
except such a trifling portion of artillery, as those
acquainted with the matter can better estimate than
myself, was on its march from one part of the
Peishwa's dominions to another, and totally igno.
rant of the recent commencement of hostilities.—
As they proceeded, however, their astonishment was
painfully excited by the fearful appearancrof a Mah-
ratta force amounting to nearly twenty thousand ca-
valry. Retreat was impossible, and battle was, they
knew. their only hope. The contest came, and this
small body maintained for a whole day a doubtful
but victorious contest-;-victorious at all events, so far'
as to keep their enemy at defiance. Amid wounds
and death, oppressive heat, and its consequent fatigue,
their only complaint was thirtst, which they were un-
able even once to slate ; but'still, despite of this and
all they had endured, they effected their retreat, and
covered themselves with glory--(ffevir, hear.) In
such a waste and wilderness of heroism, one cannot
but select a green and sunny spot like this (Hear,
;ear), on which the mind reposes with delighted feel.,
lags, and can indulge itself with a gratification, even
the most brilliant trophies do not always yield. The
name of the officer commanding the body of which
I have just spoken is Captain Staunton, and though
his rank does not entitle hint to be entered on our
records, Iris merits and services have not been forgot.
'Take this then as a specimen of much that has oc-
curred during the campaign in IndiA. In 28 diffe-
rent actions, the combined troops maintained an
equal character and splendour: while from the month
of ItTeptember to the following Jine, 120 &ids
either besieged or taken or reduced within the
thou of the British power. Theo simple
much more eloquent of what has occurred,
vey a clearer idea of the skill and courage ..._
for their realisation, than any hinginge which.
use could ptissibly afford. The origseal
the wits Were such as iioOe think. 41VMM*

brilliant Winks bothditl6ed bad deManded the
iidant4edifinent. of House,- ThPreis holvskier.
iiiarbe,* a revered And honoured *tame, ionneeled
With these operation,i, whose Mention should not be'
omitted; whose pail in the campaign was di* leis ob-
servable because carried on in a place fit from pub-
lic gaze, and without the opportunities of early or
especial notice; but yet not to be forgotten, when
any mention is to be made of extensive knowledge
and undaunted courage. The name is that of Co-
lonel •Manrise—(fiettr, hear, heer)—than whom,
Europe never saw a move accomplished Statesman,
nor the India service a superior General, fertile
as it is, and has been, with superior Officers.—
No man knew more of the natives character than the

pliant Colonel, nor applied his knowledge to more
noble purposes ; and he was pre-eminently Mown for
some considerable time by his eminent civil services,
his endeavours to re'gulate the public institutions in
India, and to provide the means for the sounder esta-
blishment of the Native Powers. He set out with a
force of only 1200 men to take possession of a parti-
cular post, situated at the Southern extremity of the
Mahratta Power. Be travelled through a country
hostile in character to the pursuit on which he went,
but whose hostility was rendered by far less so, in
consequence of his thorough knowledge of the peo-
Ipla'shabits, prejudices, and general character. He took
;possession of ten forts, as he marched along ; but so
',great was his mastery over the people's affections, so
completely did he win their hearts, and Charm their
attention by his manners and his intimate acquaint-
ance with their hopes, their, fears, and every pre-
possession, that he not only was enabled to secure
and garrison the forts he had just taken, but to re-
turn with his-little force rather augmented than de-
creased by his conquest and exertions.—(Hear, hear.)
That speaks more in praise of the Colonel, the gal-
lant and the veteran Colonel, than praise however
studied, or language however so select. But com-
mon justice to his merits induces me to relate these
facts, and the House itself will weigh the consequen;
ces that should attach to .them. General Smith, it
should be mentioned, is the officer who headed the
army against the Peishwa ; and it fortunately fell to
his lot to replace the right and legitimate Sovereign
on the Throne, long enjoyed by his ancestors, and.,
of which he wished he should never again be dispostl
sessed. In the fluctuation of time, and in the too
frequent changes of dynasty which occur in the Eas,
tern portion of the world, so far as a prificiple of le-
gitunitcy un be fairly established% 1 sincerely trust
sot only that it will be attended to, but that it will
also be long maintained. Perfidious aggression must
on our parts be always punished, if we wish the se-
-curity of our India possessions.; and it is no inconsi-
derable happiness to think that we have there restored
.`a Power likely to prove not only available to peace,
but also to the better security of our own territory.-
-,I can say that our enemies have been reduced, I
should not wish-to say exterminated, in this campaign.
The Governor-General, by a mixture of civil and
military skill, has happily brought our foes to a pro,
per sense of their unimportance and the futility ot' all
future attempts at hostility or aggretsion. The era,
blishment of sqch new Powers as may be thought!,
prudent in alliance with our Government there, will
add strength to our domil;on, and offers the best
guarantee of its most permanent security. Our
siniatioa, no doubt, is dinicult to maintain, and re-
trogradation is now become impossible. The result,
of the various operations whiCh -I have thus en-
deavoured to detail was as important as the com-
mencement of them was justifiable and necessary.
In the beginning of this war, the frontier neces-
sary to be defended extended along our India pos,
sessions in a line of not less than 2500 miles.—
In consequence of our late successes, and the acqui-
sitions cured by treaty, as it would appear from the
papers upon the table, that frontier is now much ad-
eanced; but, in proportion as it is advanced it is also
narrowed, extending over a space of only 700 miles.
I had some doubts whether to reserve for another
occasion the statement respecting one of the gallant
officers (General Hislop), to whose exertions and ta-
lents the country is so much, indebted; but it was
suggested to me, that it would be better to take the
present opportunity of mentipnipg.it, than to he un-
der the necessity of obtruding myself again. One of
the first results of the victory over liolkar, was the
issuing of orders for taking possession of some forts
south of the Narbuddah. Sir Thomas Hislop re,
ceived the Orders, and, by the papers laid upon .the
table, the House is now in possession of all the infor,
station received by government with respect to the
conduct of that gallant offices towards the Governor
of Talaier. I Must say, that neither Government
nor the Company ;re satisfied with this information
on the whole.,( Hear, hear.)—The only proper
course that could, under such circumstances, be
taken, has been adopted. Directions were sent to the
noxernor-General to institute the most diligent in-
quiry into the business. The inferences to be drawn
from the papers already on the table, do not go the
length of proving the conduct of Sir Thomas Hislop
unjustifiable; on the contrary, the inferences go to
justify him. First his character of a British officei,
which, independent of the high qualities of the indi-
vidual himself; must render him singularly abhor-
rent to cruel stid unjustifiable eonduct. We have,
besides, two distinct approbations of the part taken
by the gallant officer in the sear, proceeding from
the Governor-Generals Duriug the campaign that
lid to such splendid results, there were many in,
stances in which he proved that he was as willing to
blame, where blase was deserved, as to confer praise
where it was merited. It would not be treating thel
subject fairly, If I did not point out to the House.
the degree of justification deducible from the papers
already received, and the degree stag wanting.—
rWhen the military dispatches first arrived, they came
una.ccoropanied.with any civil details. It is not to be
supposed that this transaction at Talniers did not
strike me at the tame as one demending consideration
and inquiry: I pursued thos only course that was then
opeatO me, that of submitting the dispatches to Cio-
yerlimer.t. From the, hqrry and.. extensive nature of
di* gampaigu, it necesssrily followed that ve.tt
atter-

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