Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-10-07
Cbe Constitutional aaahfo.
THE WAR IN INDIA.

which the more intelligent portion of our coun-vrnon in
India were laborng at the date of the last letters The
Dad successive nights say the utter disgrace-which
mas ended our operations against the Burnan Empire
won - other times have produced an immediate Par
hamehtary inquiry and strong expression of public
censure wherever the Blame OF such disasters acconpa
nied by such manifest dangers might be with Justice
VISITED when reflect that than year has
elapsed since the actual commencement of the war
more nearly, perhaps wo years, since the Government
OF Calcutta lad contemplated the speedy breaking cut
OIL hoSutles--the first question that every
man u.s. w hat progress has been made towards the spe
CHIC point al which, in common prudence and corsistep
cy 1t would be for the credit of the Government to re-
establish peaCeThe obvious answer unfortunately il
that we have not advanced single step towards l-
demnlty II there any wrongs to be repaired; or
towards that security of which, appears to u.s. the war
itselt mas been the only serious dsturber.,
Zen or twelve thousand men were sent TO Rangoon
ana as well have been sent to Japan for any real
OBJECT % mischief coercion 10 the Bnrmans of that
iorce we are informed that Sir Archibald Campbell
could muster for his last engagement with the enemy
not more than 800 men!Sueh the wisdom which
selected Tue field operations The Bengal army, which
hao cohhned ITS efforts to the inction OF violent death
on some tour hundred five hundred of own unhap-
ply Sepoys, was only, towards the end of January pre-
prng TO act against the Arracan north frontier
Oh the hing OF Ava. The country through which this
force had TO move was wholly unknown to the CoInpa-
hys government, except which it would be
i'dncss TO invade without the most accurate and de-
taiied information respecting its nricacies, and most
hazardous 10 enter, eQcnf provided. 1t was known
indeed, TO be country almost nsalubrous as that
IN the neighhorhood of Rangoon the period still store
or operations was coDlectured TO be not half sufficient
LOT march lDtersperscd' Irish soldier once ex
pressed with hghtinghat is, If there should he any
idea OF pushing on the Burmese capital The troops
would hereor be compelled to retrace their footsteps
10 the British frontier and begin again the whole bust
ness OF the war; to take up their ground in the heart
OF an enemys country there to rot of disease perish
OF absolute hunger Ii on the ether hand decisive
ana immediate impression should he made upon the
force or spirits of the enemy by this attach from Benpa
we can vouch for its being the opinion of most able and
experienced authorities in India that our whole Asiatc
empire would run imEinent risk of overthrow from
instruction within
There is spot of the Whole Peninsula where the
ola eaiousles of British power be fairly said TO be
extinct There is not village in the which have
peen conquered within the last wears where the
course oil the Burmese war is not eagerly watched
where the consequences of failure or egen OF prolonged
hostlties and exhausted strength are NOT thoroughly
calculated and cOnprehendcd and where if the signal
were once given revolt would not Instantly burst
forth seii-organzed and assisted by the of the po-
Puiaiion In the capital of the Deecan, placard was
recently stuck up, inviting the natives to RISE the
AIng OF Ava paving the way for their delyerance
from English bondage
Nor are the dscontents prevailing through the int.
rior OF the Peninsula the worst by many degrees among
our canses OF apprehension. What has happened to.
wards the Westward Runieet Sing n prince of emf
neut ability, of warlke habits and Unsuitable ambition
has crossed the Indus from his own SEEK territory and
planted himself in great force both sides of that inn
portant river The army Of PuDjeet Sing consists of
fifty thousand infantry, armed and disciplined on Euro
pean principles, disciplined by formidable number OF
French and RUSSIAN officers, with numerous artillery
horse and foot organized also the approved E
| ropean system These are supported by powerful
body OF native cavalry, who Injured 10 war, and
flushed with conquest Further TO the west we have
the Russian army Of Georgia, which has long ago sent
incusions OF Cossacks through the afghan territory
and would not spare hbes other incentives TO Run
Jeet Sing or lose day in marching 10 reinforce him.
These all considerations familiar TO the minds of
rejecting men who understand the affairs of India bnt
what may not be so generally unprecedented is, the in
competency OF our local establishments, military and
CIVIL to cope with crisis of more than common danger
The number of Europeans in both departments and in
all the preSdencies is inadequate TO the wansof The
service, OF civil unconares there much too few to
control the natural increase of spirit among the ma
ves adverse TO the British interests least CONVEX.
toie against them What is veXatious STILL there
exists obvious want of the necessary intellectual re-
sources IN those who do exercise the civil poy the
Company; and this is most conspicuous in The ~. high
est officers There is lainen;able difference between
The extinction Of such powerful Monarchy as that o.
lPpoo IN four short months, after he had been whole
years preparing with all the other great States India
for simultaneous attack upon the British territory anc
the feeble and wretched attempts against the Burmese
exhibiting for whole twelve month nothing but dis
traction IN council and nefCiency in the field. There
is, say, a woful contrast between the Mysore and
Mabratta wars, both defensive against prepared anC
mighty enemy and this Burmese war; unprovolsed az
gressiye, unjust, III combined and unsuccessful.
4 With regard to army, the European force has
dwindled in serious proportion and speedy augmen
tson must be made TO it. The native army of the
company is VIGOROUSLY deficient in European officers
who used to be the soul Of its military character and
spirit and it is folly 10 suppose that retain india
Il either Of these be lost OF e ncompeteness of our
establishments, it may be taken sample that The
head quarters of artillery ought TO consist Of GOO
whereas assured high authority, that at tht
date Of The last advces only Is to be found there
Let the Company, therefore, leave off peddlng and
conduct great affairs broad and effective principles
If they want army, let them raise equal to the
exigency, surrender India TO the natioD who will
know how TO govern it honestly and to render it q
source Of honour, we'll Of benefit to the empire
But besides army, sOmetiytg more is requisite. Lei
the honorable Company Of Merchants pay the soldier
his prize money and make him feel that he has no cue
mics but those who are iba arms before him.
! BRAZIL AND La Pr iTA.
As The difficulties between these 40 governments
appear likely to bring about ap0ris results il is
importance that the case shoHd be vel understood ant