The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-05-05

upon a region of unknown extent and
endless conflicts. In vain did Alexander
argue, impIore, entreat and promise
"Folow me-" said he, ''but to the Ganges
and the Indian Ocean, while our feet
shall circumnavigate Africa-and then
the bounds of our empire will be those
which God has made the bounds of the
Earth"
The Greeks were immovable, the
thoughts and longings of home had come
over them. They resolutely refused to
cross the Hyphasis-and Alexander after
erecting affairs on its bank to commemo-
rate his progress thus far East-wept that
he could conquer no other world-and
turned his march homeward.
These backward glances will not be
without interest TO our readers,-since
the same theatre is now the scene of like
events, except that in the recent battles
the barbarians, if so we may call the
Sinks, were the assaiIants. They it was
who crossed the Hyphasis or Sudege.
and on its left bank the English received
the assault-apd so fearfully struggled for
the victory they won.
In this case as in all like ones-our
sympathis are with those who defend their
own home, and the rivers, and mountains
which God has assigned to them-and
whether it be Abdel Kader in Africa--or
warriors of northern India-we feel that
victory should be with them.
That such will be the result may be
possible in both cases. As to Algeria, ii
has cost France millions of treasures and
! tens of thousands of lives-and yet the
great Arab chief is as little subdued as at
the beginning. So though the field of
battle and the trophies of Meodkee re-
mained with the British, it is far from
certain that the victory is final and de-
cisive. A passing glance at the relative
means and numbers of the contending
parties will show this.
According to the last authorities upon
which we have been able TO lay our hands,
the total number Of European troops in
all India is about $1,000 whom 10000
| are of the REGULAR army, and the residue
recruited in Great Britain for the Compa-
ny's service. This European force is
distributed throughout the vast posses
sions unsular and continental of the East
India Company.
The Native troops in the service Of the
Company, amount, it is believed, to some
thing like ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY
THOUSAND MEN. These are composed
indiscriminately of Hindoos and Mussel-
mans-mixed up together in the same re-
giments, and under the command, as to
Company officers, Of their own people
though superior command is wholly in
Europeans, to such an extent that the
youngest ensign of the British army takes
rank of the Oldest Native officer.
These Native troops are brave anC
faithful. 1t is point of honor with Ma
tive artillery men. never 10 desert theil
guns. The Cavalry are as adventurous
as, and much better riders than the Eu.
ropean Cavalry, and take better care Of
their horses.
The army of Runjct Singh, the Chief
of the Sikhs, was computed by the Brit
ish authorities some few years ago al
seventy-three thousand-of which more
than one half were Cavalrv-they have
also numerous artilIery-as was made
manifest in the late conflict.
When it is considered that the region
of this contest is far away from supplies
that it is strong in natural features for de-
fence-that it is inhabited by brave and
warlike race, and that the sympathes ol
all Northern India must be with the Sikhs
and when both Russia and France may
possibly see their interest in permitting
means TO be furnished that may prolong a
war so costly and perilous to English SUI
premacy in the East, it does not seem
quite clear, notwithstanding the firing ol
the Park and Tower guns in Lodon over
the victory of Moodkee-and the vote o
thanks in Parliament to the Conquerors
that the work is decisive or complete
The next late accounts from India cannot
fail to be looked for with great interest
IN. Y. Courier.