The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-06
rrnoN TIE AvRonAj
SKETCH OF BRITISH POWER IN ASIA.
(CoNTINuEp.)

..t
That the Asatc powers are destined one day
70 became independent of European government,
IS an event so certain and inevitable that the En-
tbsh East India company assume il as a sound
maxim OF policy to pursue such measures as are
adapted to procrasinatc or defer the event as long
Is possible, This policy has gradually in,rodu-
sed a scorer sy:tem, substitute ior their for.
mer ofsn systcn--croel,y Of punishment has dis
appeared, and the sppsrent humanity which has
sren adopted in its place, is but cloak under
~mch the most arbitrary tyranny that has eSistet.
an all time is exercised on its victims.
The aystem of arbitrary imprisonment, and
transportation to Cayenne, which was atiootesl
during certain periods of the French revolution,
was founded on exactly the same causes. Cru.
city had Ceased 10 be exemplary, and threatened
hs retaliation OF despair, and the reiributioA OF
vengeance with aggravated cruelty and crime -
The removal OF an object from the scene OF his
power OF influence, by imprisonment, WAS not
'oan1 eiisctuai, because the generous passions
which are always most exerted and most active,
snder the pressure or the approach OF calamity,
ever found means of access, and carried the mi.
series OF the sufferer homc to the bosoms of snci-
ETY., where every one felt that the case of one
msn incarcsra,ea without accusation, and punish
ra without trial, might, under the vicissitudes
OF human affairs, be the case Of any or every
man. t~ --, -
Men have been seized and detained in the prii-
nons OF Hisdustan, upon the bare Fat of Ha.tine
ana OF each OF his successors. Some Of those
victims have remained and persisted, and when
appeals have been made to the laws, the suppl.
cant at the bar OF justice has found his petition
answered BY body of troops surrounding his
dwelling, conveying him in close custody on board
q snip, and transporting him Ineneyess and with.
out the intercourse OF friendship, to Europe.
1t Is necessary to mark this early encroachmeni
on dssPotisn, and the manner OF its growth in
she civil branches Of the social polty of Asia,
ft.o.r
weed more summary anu less public means OF
puo,tion; but when the military force ofthe Bri.
dsh IN Hindustan came to possess different iute
rests1n opinion, and discordant feelings towards
each other, both in social life and in MANY of th.
essential points ofinstitution the supreme pow.
er' fearful OF acontlict between both, and alike
feariul of either. driven first to teInpor;;e
with such as made claims upon them, to concele
10 the claims of either occasionally, and at length
from these very concessions, to Law the fountiati
on for new claims. :
The government of Asia, under CORVALLIS
Nvas very signally marked by the events which
rose under it. No man could be better adapted
10 the dark business of despotism, or to the per.
fetration OF any measure which promised to es.
taoiish arbitrary power, so long as there was q
prospect of personal safety.
In contemplating the military power of Bri.
tam IN Asia, it is worthy of curiosity to note the
beginnings and nature of its formation. --The
cacich were Tue Hrs1 VINO embodied the natives
OF Hisdustan in regular regiments. The English
with as much gravity asif they had no ambitious
schemes OF their own, or if they had the exclu.
siye right, say that Z" France aimed to become
mn Indian power on the coast of Coromandei, &
had set the example of embodying regiments Of
natives, to be commanded by European officers
That then only the (Englsh) company tfoRght Of
Forming either military or naval establishments e
3aalto the defence of their settlements"
Lord Give says, Z" formerly the cor,pany's
tsoops consisted of the refuse of the gaois, com.
manded by an officer seldom above this rank of A
lieutenant. and but in one or two instances with,
that major, without order. discipline or militia
ny ardor; but now Qord Gives time) tire com
pany's armies are equal to those of any Europe
IN monarch"
at the. close ofthe peace of17s3, the following
% an outline of the military force OF the East In.
aia company, at their three preSidences of Ben.
Gal, Madras and Bombay: