Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-23

THE RECENT ACCOUNTS FROM INDIA are impor-
tant to US, and might now be Improved, to borrow a
a theological term, if honesty and patriotism prevail
ed In all of our national councils. In the two bat
ties mentioned in accounts by former arrivals, the
British were beaten. However they may deny it,
they met with a severer check than they had yet
found East of the Indus. They did not gain a VIC
tory in either battle and to the British in India, de-
pending for the continuance of there empire there,
upon the illusion of their invincibillty, a drawn bat
tie is a defeat. But they seem to have met with
something more than this negative defeat for they
retired from the Sutlej to repair damages, and the
Sikhs afterwards crossed it in their face into British
territory, and according to the last accounts, we're
intrenched at the head of their Bridge over it. Being
able to do this after two great battles, the Sikhs could
not have been uery badly beaten! But the last ac-
counts mention a fact that is rather significant. 4
portion of the NdtiUe troops in the British service, on
approaching the Sikhs, threw away their arms and
fed We do not impute this TO cowardice, for the
Hindoos in the British armies in India have always
fought well. 1t is rather significant of disaffection.
And if it should spread, and the invasion Of British
India by a hostile army, will tend to its spreading
we may regard the British empire in that cruelty OPP
pressed garden of the world as near its end. The
Hindoos have no other attachment to their oppressors
than fear and when this fear begins to subslde, and
an invading army, successful in a few battles, will
make it subside, Instruction will appear in all quar-
tiers. And the sooner the British are expelled from
India, the better will it be for mankind for to quote
the emphatic words of Edmund Burke, 'the British
Empire in India is an awful thing"
The recent accounts from England show that the
late events in India have created a serious impress
sion. The funds had fallen, large endorsements
were ordered for India, and the naval preparations in
the dock-yards were suspended, to facilitate the
movement of these endorsements. In addition to
all this, the funds fell still further, upon a rumor of
the Queens having prepared a message to the House
of Commons on American affairs; this further fall
indicating that the people dreaded a collision with the
United States, in addition to their Indian difficulties
A hot war in India would not leave the British gov
eminent very ample means for a contest with US, at
least on land and therefore if our sea-ports be we'll
guarded, VIC should not be very vulnerable.
Under these circumstances, the duty of Congress
is to make the most ample preparation for defence,
without delay. Let us not wait till the British have
settled their affairs in II India for though the chances
are against them, they may prevail. Let US prepare
nOu, and either negotiate with arms in our hands, or
not negotiate at all. Let US make full preparation
for maintaining our rights in Oregon, and talk no
more about it. Some of the Senators may be mag
unanimous enough to recommend waiting I'll. the Brit
ish have settled their Hindoo difficulties. But a little
less magnanimity and a little more patriotism would
be commendable.-Pd. Ledger.