The New York herald., 1846-03-21

number Of Mexicans, and would confer immense
benefits on that people-ree establishing its relations
with the maritime and constitutional powers OF Eu-
rope. Amongst the cognate suitors (relations) OF
Queen Isabella, II would not be difficult point out
the individual best fitted for such enterprise, by
his personal qualities and his liberal sentiments
And il the United States should attempt to in
terfere in this question in manner for which there
not the least justiicaton they would not certain
y be able to oppose the political march Of the united
powers OF Europe, when their sole object would be
TO preserve national government in New Spain,
and to repair the disastrous effects OF abortive revo
lutions upon the provinces which were once lncor-
porated with the Spanish crown"
We approve the idea of our English contempora-
ry, but y few amendments suggest themselves to
our minds.
II the Mexicans, for example, looking to their in
terests, should say spontaneously-" We wish to be
transformed into q constitutional monarchy; and
without wars without disasters, without opposition,
we accept Spanish prince, in the same way that
the Swedes, the Belgians, and the Greeks accepted
foreign princes, who must have entertained less
sympathy with them than. he whom we adopt
we at once agree that this declaration would be a
blessing to Spanards, to both the Americans, to Eu-
teemed contemporary believe that Spain could op-
pose any force, II the slightest opposition were Of
fered Does it imagine that the United States
would not use those forces which are being or
the purpose of impeding the creation of monarchy
which might be extended to the Pacific, which
might annex the CALIFORNIA;, and oppose farther on,
its rights in the Oregon? Would il not also secret
ly influence, in opposition to idea, the ponder
GUS sceptre which rules in South America? /? What
will France say to this Without European
league we deem the proposal OF the Times impossi-
BILE. Will this be possible without promoting
maritime war; Will Europe wish to undertake
one This is question OF much interest, and we
leave to our contemporary the right of solving it
with the mastery skill which we acknowledge It to
possess.
The Punjaub and the Bikhs.
In order to make the country which is now the
seat Of war in Central ASIA IN some measure better
known to the public, the following remarks by Won
Orlich, an officer in the Prussan SERVICE who visit
these ~ the ss b The
officer was at Lahore, Shere Singh, the unfortunate
successor Of Runjeet Singh, was Maharajah Of La
hOre.
The Punjaub, or Land of the Five Rivers, has
surface Of about l8OO square miles, is of tran-
gular shape, and bounded by the Indus, the Sutej,
and the Hlmalayas. In these mountains rise four
rivers, which flow through the Punjaub, and form
junction with the Indus thus dividing this country
into four unequal portions, of which the first and
most western, lies betwlxt the Indus and Jelum II
is about 800 miles in breadth, and being very barren
and uncultivated, has but scanty population Nu-
merous waye.like hills rise to some height in the
centre. and interspersed by deep precptous ravnes
cover the face Of the country thus rendering commu
nication difficult; while the rivers flowing between
high steep banks, prevent the employmet Of their
waters for the purpose of irrigation. There is but
little fertile soil, the land being covered with brush
wood nor are there any towns OF great Importance
The Jelum s a broad clear stream, OF from 300 to
400 yards width, running ia q sandy bed, at the
| rate OF about two miles an hour The temperature
in December was, at sunrise, 40 deg. Fair; at noon
81 deg.
er Jelum and Chenab, and, with the exception Of
range Of low hills, which, crossing the Jelum, run
parallel with its left bank, quite flat mostly cover
ed with JUNGLE but the soil being light and sandy,
-
cattle, sheep, camcls, &c, are maintained. BY
means Of wells artificial irrigation is practised but
BY the aid of cames, the whole country might be
conducted INTO most fertile and productive garden.
The Chenab is a clear smooth stream, 100 yards in
width, and 10 feet deep.
"The third doab (space Of land between two riv-
ers) between the Chenab and Ravel, which latter is
the smallest OF the four streams not being naviQa-
bic till below Lahore, where it has breadth Of 2O0
feet and depth Of about three and half feet The
surface Of this portion 10 parched and uncutlvated
msrinds, and other tropical plants. Canals, conduct
ed into this district from the mountain streams
might make this also one Of the most fertile portions
Of the country yet uniortunste!y it is only in the
that the earth Is TILED large but neglected canal
shows that greater cultivation existed here
Several considerable towns lie on the high road
from Lahore to Attock, among which the most i'm
portant is the Mussulman town OF Ramnuggur, on
the lett bank Of the Chenab.
'The. smallest and most neglected of these four
divisions is that between the Ravel and the Sutle,
only 2iO miles broad. Here situated the grea.es
cities OF the Punjaub, Lahore, Umritsir Essence Of
ambrosia) and Kassaur. The Sutej is the most inn
Portant OF the tributaries OF the Indus; its width is
from $50 to 400 yards, and in the rainy season, it
overflows its banks rendering fertile the surround
ing country to some distance.
"Besides this country richly blessed by nature,
but neglected by man, the provinces OF Peshawar,
in the north, and Moultan on the right bank Of the
Indus as far Mtan Bote, also belong to the king
dom Of the Sikhs. The whole extent Of the domin-
ion ruled by the Maharajah may be estimated at
about 25O,0O square miles, with 5000 600 inhabi-
tants, and revenue of from two or three million
pounds sterling Il is divided into provinces and dis
tricts which, for the payment sof stipulated tribute,
are entrusted to the government Of officers called
Slrdars, who naturally endeavor to squeeze as much
governed by Hindoo, .rejoices under the best adj
minstration, while peshawar - the most impovef-
ished and oppressed"
Captain Van Orlich then gives brief summary
it appears that the origin of this sect dates from the
end Of the 10th century. At first they were mild
and tolerant in their doctrines and practice; but
throughout the 18th century, having been much OPP
pressed by the Mussulmans, who at last (l606) muir
dered their spiritual head, the harmless Sikhs were
transformed into frantic soldiers, and under Har-
Govind the son Of their murdered priest, arose as
open enemies and avengers against their oppressors
In the course OF the succeeding century, their dec
trines underwent some slight notifications. DIFF
ference Of caste was abolished, peculiar customs
we're introduced, every man was bound to serve as
soldier and bear some species OF arms, the use
Of tobacco was forbidden, their clothes to be
Of uniform COLOR (bue,) and their hair and boards
to be allowed to grow The Akolio, fanatic iskirs,
or wandering priests, have great influence among
them they recognise no sovereign, and only en-
dure their own princes, whom they censurc as they
please and whom, il they act contrary to their
views, they deprive of life. "Their usual weapon,
(says Won Orich) is species Of quoit, about foot
adrsitly thrown, they can cut off mans head at
some distance"
After relating the political history OF the akh
country under Runjeet Sing, until the accession of
Shere Sing, and the subsequent sangunary palace
revolutions, with all which our readers must be well
acquainted he concludes with expressing opinion
favorable to the Attock as boundary for British
India
These countries have frequently been explored
bv EuYoDeana the f0lIowln0 tYavelIerg having NJ