The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-17


number exiled had succeeded in making their es-
cape from Siberia. Their escape Is exPlaihea as
follows: ,.n
A nobeman of Tobolsk, in his Joy at the oir'h OF
sen and heir resolved TO distribute iood 10 inc prs
oners in the citadel, who for TWO years hau IeSeI
"A no oIhsr no,Irisbnent than black bread and wa
Ter Amongst The provisions sent to them was a
quantity of brandy which the priests did not touch
'fhe handy was drunk by the officers and soldiers
~ the g,Iard who became intoxicated and fell INTO
a deep sleep, during which the prisoners escaped
and reached in safety the coast OF the White sea,
where they found vessel which conveyed mem 70
K1ngsburg ,y,,
letter from Constantinopls of the 18th ult. con-
firms what has already been stated as to the answer
given by the Porte to the note Of the ambassadors OF
Inc great powers in Syria. The Porte promises to
ACT with impariality as regards the Maronites and
the Druses, and to rule with equity over both par
ties.
We have received by extraordinary express our
dispatches in anticipation OF the Bombay mails OF
the LIST Of January containing The important news
that the Sikh army had crossed the Suue, and that
they having thus declared war against the British,
the goyernorgenera had issued the following proc
lamation on the 18th of December
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR. GENERAL.
Of friendship with that Of the PuDiaub.
ain the year 1903 treaty OF amity and concord
was concluded between the British government ana
the late Maharsjah Runjeet Singh, the conditions Of
which have always been faithfully observed by the
British government and were scruPulously fulfilled
by the late MahaTalah
"The same friendly relations have been maintain
ed with the successors Of Maharaja Runiset Singh
by the BRUSH government up 10 the present time.
"Since the death OF the late Maharajah Shere
Singh the disOrganlzed state Of the Lahore govern
ment has made 1t incumbent on the governor-gen-
era in council to adopt precautionary measures, and
the cause Of their adoption were at the time fully eX-
planned TO the Lahore Dubar.
Notwithstanding the disOrganized state Of the
Lahore government during the last two years, and
many most unfrendy proceedings on the parts Of the
DubaT, the goyernor-general in council has contnu
ed evlnce his desire TO maintain the relations Of
amity, and interests and happiness OF both. He has
shown, on every occasion, the utmost forbearance,
from Consideration to the helplessness of the infant
Maharajah Dhueep Singh, whom the British gov
eminent had recognised the successor to the late
Mahara ah Shere Singh
"The govenor-general in council sincerely desired
to see strong Sikh government re-establlshed in
the Punaub, able TO control its army, and to protect
its subjects. He had not, up to the present moment,
abandoned the hope Of seeing that important object
effected by the patriotic efforts OF the Sikhs and peo-
pie Of that country.
The Sikh army recently marched from Lahore
towards the British frontier as 1t was alleged by the
orders of the DubaT for the purpose Of invading the
British territory.
"The goyernor-generals agent, by direction of
the governos general demanded an explanation Of
this movement, and no reply being returned with
in a reasonable time, the demand was repeated.
The governor general, unwilling to believe IN the
hostile intentions Of the Sikh government to which
no provocauon has been gwen, refrained from Ia
king any means which might have a tendency to
embarrass the government of the Maharajah or TO
induce collision between the two states.
"When no reply was given to the repeated de-
mand for explanation, and while active military
preparations were continued at Lahore, the COVER
norgenera considered 1t necessary TO order the ad-
OF troops towards the frontier reinforce the
frontier posts.
ssThe Sikh army has now, without a shadow of
provocaton, invaded the British territories.
"The governorgeneral must, therefore, take meas-
ures for effectuay protecting the British provinces,
for indicating the authority of the British govern
ment and for Furnishing the violaors Of treaties and
the disturbers Of public peace
1.-The encouragement hereby declares the pos
sessions of Maharajah Dhuleep Singh the left or
British banks of the Sutej confscaed and annexed
to the British territories
"The encouragement will respect the existing
rights of all Jhgheerdars Zamindars, and tenants in
the said possessions, who, by the course they now
pursue, evince their fidelity to the British govern.
ment.
"The governor-general hereby calls upon all the
chiefs and Slrdars In the protected territories to
operate cordially with the British government for the
punishment of the common enemy, and for the main
tenance Of order in these States Those of the chiefs
| who show aacrity and fidelity in the discharge OF
| this duty, which they to the protecting power
will find their interests promoted thereby and those
who take contrary course, will be treated as enc
fhaP
ed accordingly.
"The inhabitants Of all the territories on the left
| bank Of the Sutlej, are hereby directed to abide
peaceably In their respective villages, where they
will receive efficient protection by the British gov
| eminent All parties of men found III armed bands
who give no satisfactory account of their pro-
ceedings, will be treated disturbers of the public
| peace.
l "Al subjects of the British government, ant
those who possess estates both sides of the river
Sutei, who by their faithful adherence to the Brit.
ish government may be liable to sustain loss, shaI
be indemnihcd and secured in all their just rights
and privileges.
| "0n the other hand, all subjects of the British
government who shall continue in the service of the
Lahore state, and who disobey this proclamation by
not Immediately returning to their allegiance, vii
be liable to have their property on this side of the
Sutej coniscated, and declared to be aliens and
enemies of the British government
| by oruer OF lne rlSnt honorable tne governor
general of India.
az. CURRIE,
| "Secreary to the government of India with
| the governor-general.
"Camp, Lushkuree, Khan-ke-Seral.
Dec. l3, 1S45."
BOMBAY, JAN. 3.-To understand the Sikh char
acter it is necessary to explain that they follow thu
tenets of Nunok who, four cegturies ago, formed Z
religion from Hindooism and Mahommedanism
which suited the taste of the men Of the Lahore
Guided by their "Gooroos," or priests they Tough
and gained considerable territories in the Punaub, o.
country Of the Five rivers.
Some of the troops, and especially those Of Raj
poot descent, assumed the appelation Of Snghs, o
Lions. Runjeet Singh, by his abilities, succeeded
in placing himself at their head. He died in June
1889, since which time three OF his successors hav
been assassnated Dhuleep Singh is but boy
and the troops refuse to obey his feeble sceptre
The Singhs resemble, in great measure, the Jan
issaries at Contsantnople; and they, too, ASSUME
the right Of selecting their own rulers. The Akha
lees are tribe of the widest fanatics, who look up
on all men as objects Of hatred, unless those wht
profess the Sikh faith. The Sikh troops are state
TO amount in number to about 10000 men, collect
ed from the bravest of the land for like the Janis