Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-14
Correspondence IF The Y Erening Post
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LoSDoN, NV. l5, 1913.
The most exciting news oil the day is ire intelligence
brought by tie Overland Mail, OF a series oil horrld
murders in Lahore, The capital of The PuoJaub, or ter
ritory Of the Sikhs-a ieit lie dlslr'c. aoJ''n'ng oc'hae,
and lying between the BRUSH India possefsions and
Afghanistan. This territory was lately governed by
the famous Runjcet Singh, a man OF metil', and who,
in the swelling phraseology of the East, was invariably
styled sihe Lion OF Lahore" He was succeeded by
Kurrack Singh, and lie again by Shere SINGH, who has
Just been murdered. This last was a sensual ard dis
so!i.e Prince, who spent his time in riot and debauche-
~, leaving the whole management OF State aiiiirs 10
his minist.r-an abb. s%coundrel, named Dhyan Singh.
Dhyan was recently d~isgraced, but was shortly alter
wards restored 10 favor. The insult appears, however,
10 have wrankled in his breast, and lie subsequently en-
tered into n conspiracy with q commander OF the troops,
named Ajeel Singh II assassinate the sovereign. THIS
was effected by Acct shooting him through the head
al q review OF the troops. The murderer then cut off
his victims head, and procee ded with il on a spear II
the city. On entering it, he met Prince Po'tiub Singh,
Il son Of the murdered man. Meet Immediately assas-
sina,pd him also, and, then, making The best Of his
way to the palace, had the hole of the wives and ch l.
d en- OF beth The slain Princes dragged forth and mar
iered -one of the ~cllliren having only been born the
night previous The Treasury was then plundered,
md the troops paid their arrears. Acct, N proceeding
- tie fort, met his accomplish, Dhyan Singh, and in
yi'cd him TO enter his Garage. Dhyan &C., into the car
rage, but never got out Of It alive, for Aieet, watch
ing his opportunity, as ;assina.ed him on the road, and
lien sent the body to his (Dhyan's) son, Hera Singh
Tie latter Immediately prepared t, take his share in
these tragedies, and surround. ng the city with Troops,
carried the fort, and cut off the heads of Aject Singh,
and various other persons. Altogether about six
hundred men were slaughtered, besides women and
children. Such is az plain 4 narrative cs can
manage 10 CLEAN from the various Indian ac-
counts Of this series Of complicated murders end massa-
cre5. The present occupant of the throne IS Dulecp
SlEgh, n boy OF tan years of age, and II is not al all
unlikely that the next mills may bring accounts Of his
murder also, by some Of the leaders of the scoundrflly
factions by which he ia surrounded. These events have
caused much speculation, particularly in India. By
many il is assumed that Eagllnd must interfere, aad
tia. the Punjaub, like the rest Of the snail lnd;an
stats, will become absorbed IN the British possessions
BY those who are more anxious Tor territorial aggrar-
d.Zsment than a strict observance OF the rights OF mann
snd tEua,, 1t is urged that this is an opportunity for
British interference which ought not to be passed over;
that scrn pies are ridiculous, and that The annexation nj
the luniaub is Z "necessty"-abd, moreover, that The
comfy IS rich and fertile, and has n revenue Of f2000,
oC0 s.cr!inS pc. annum All tbs, however, does not
furnish any good or sufficient ground for interference
scarcely even 4 preteSt. Interference, however, mty
he hrnneit about in two ways. lahore may be said 10
have been organ,zcd and KEEP: 10 Ictier as 4 power IL
the master mind Of Runieet Singh. Now that he is no
more, Il is pretty certain that 1t Will be again split up IT.
10 innamcrabl- factions and divisions, each intriguing
against and bent on destroying the other. Some one
of these factions vii! be pretty sure 10 cell in the En-
glish as arbit ators. Oace in that position, il IS no,
likely that the Punjaab would ever again be governed
by native rulers.
Probably The people would feel il t, he their interest
that it should not, as there is no doubt they would be
far less p%lundercd and oppressed than under their petty
chiefs. Another way in which interference may take
place is, that there arc treaties subsisting hetseen The
Indian Government and tile Court OF Lahore, by which
a safe passage is guaranteed To British subjects, (mer-
chants and others through The territory of TIE Pun
jaub. Should the country become disorganized, those
merchants will probably be attacked and Plundered,
and then redress will be demanded, and, fntt granted,
retaliation will follow as n matter Of con,se. 1t IS
looked upon as ssfortuna,c," or "ominous"-just rs
parties regard the maitar-that previous 10 these oc-
currences Lord Ellsnborough had ordered a reinforce
ment Of troops in that direction. The next indian mail
is looked for with great anxiety. The Puniaub con-
,ains ab%outfour millions Of inhabitants, and has a we'll
disciplined Standing army Of sc twenty-five thoueand
men.