The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-04
foreisSalisfellann.
strange Trial i'm British India.

nj commencement OF uissuipoh.SS, S'N
result of which was the annexation of the Punjaub
TO the territories of the East India Company, Lieut.
Anderson and Mr. Agnew, of the civil service,
were murdered. On the restoration of peace mil
tary commission, composed of two English, two
native and Sikh colonel were convened try sun
dry persons, among whom were the Dewan Mool-
raj himself and chief named Goojur Singh The
evidence against the Dewan was elected on the
trial of the latter, and is as follows:
The English officers arrived at Moultan on the
18th of April, lS4S, with escort of six guns and
Ghoorkha regiment, and they encamped at a fort-
fled cantonment called the Eedgah. They had an
interview on the same day with the Dewan; and IT
was arranged that the goyernorship OF the province
and fort should be formally made over to them the
next day. On the 18th, accordingly, they went in
cavacade, and were shown over the fort; the keys
of which were delivered TO the colonel OF their re-
eiment. AS the cavalcade returning to the
Eedgah, Lieutenant Anderson rode first; and he
was Immediately followed by Mr.. Agnew with
Khan Singh, the new governor from Lahore, whom
they came to install As they issued from the SEEK
hee gate of the fort, narrow bridge over the deep
ditch of the glacis had to be passed. this spot the
first assault was made. One of Moolraj's soldiers,
named Ameer Chund, (who escaped from the fort
just before its capture, and is still at arge,) raised
his spear and struck Mr.. Agnew under the arm
pit with blow of which Moora afterward re-
marked that il brought down the very heavens up
on his head. Mr. Agnew was unarmed, but i'm
mediately returned the blow with riding-stck,
and leaped from his horse to grapple with the
sailant Amer Chund drew his sword, and cut
Mr. Agnew down, with two wounds on the Shout
der and neck.
At this moment Moolraj, instead of ordering the
seizure of Ameer Chund, or striking him dead,
slipped away to his garden-house; he retreated,
his personal sowars broke from his guard, and
turning upon Lieutenant Anderson, who was till
then unhurt, set on him and cut him off his horse,
with many wounds; left him apparently dead; and
galloped off to their duty personal guards
of the Dewan Sidar Khan was not attacked; he
bound up Mr.. Agnew's wounds with strips torn
from his cloak, and, lifting him elephant,
carried him to the Eedgah, where Lieutenant An
derson after brought by his own soldiers.
Their wounds having been dressed Mr.. Agnew
proceeded TO address letter to the Dewan Mool-
raj expressing generous disbelief in his participa
uon, but calling on him TO clear himself beyond
doubt by seizing the assailants, and also to come
himself to see him at the Eedgah. After consider
able delay Moolraj sent answer to this letter by
the hand of one of his chief men, Raeezadeh Tool
Dos, TO the effect that II was out Of his power
TO give up the persons who had wounded the Bril-
fish officers and that he had been prevented by the
sodiery from coming to see Mr.. Agnew. The let
ter farther said that there great disturbance
sn the fort and that the officers had better look
themselves and take measures for their own safety.
Mr.. Agnew seems to have behaved with con-
summate calmness and heroism at this trying mo-
ment. He pointed out TO Toolsee Dos how grave
a matter was in hand and how absolutely indspen-
sable il was for Dewan Moolraj to call on him, if
he wished 10 Justify himself and disavow the acts
OF the soldiers. Toolsee Dos returned TO his mas
ter, but Moolral never came. Preparations for
defence were made. Mr.. Agnew personally at
tended the mounting in battery Of his six guns, and
ordered all his troops and adherents within the
walls Of the Eedgah. Al dawn the Moolraj threw
off all disguise, and opened the fire of several Of
his fort-guns on the Eedgah; but Mr.. Agnew's
guns replied with such skill dIsmount one OF
the Dewan's guns, and kill some of his artillery
men The Dewan stayed his fire, and resorted to
other means-the corruption of the Sikh regiment,
by the Evolutionary bride of bracelets and golden
chains The issue was speedy and fatal By even
ing all had deserted except Sidar Khan Singh eight
OF ten of Kurrum Ilahee's horsemen and the Moon
shoes and domestic servants Of the British officers
Beneath the lofty dome of that empty hall ESQ
strong and formidable that very few stout hearts
could have defended t) stood this miserable group
around the beds Of the two wounded Engllshmen.
The sun went down. and twilight was
closing in, when an indistinct and distant murmur
arose as OF mass Of men advancing.
A company Of Moora's Muzsbees, or swcepers
turned Sikhs led on the frantic mob. IL an
appalling sight, and Sdar Khan Singh begged Of
Mr.. Agnew 10 be allowed to wave a sheet and sue
for mercy. Weak in body from loss Of blood, Mr..
Agnew's heart failed him not. He replied: The
time for mercy is gone; LEI none be asked for; they
can kill u.s. too II they like. But are not the
last of the English Thousands Of EnglIshmen
will come down when we are gone, and annihllaie
Moolrai and hi. soldiers and his fort" The crowd
now rushed In with horrible shouts, made Khan
Singh prisoner, and, pushing aside the servants
with the butts of muskets, surrounded the two
wounded officers Lieutenant Anderson was too
much wounded To move; and Mr.. Agnew was
sitting by his bedside holding his hand, and talking
N English doubtless they were bidding each other
farewell forever
At this point stepped forward Gooiur Singh, the
prisoner on whose trial the facts of this tragedy
were revealed He was Muzabee deformed. and
almost a cripple, object disgusting uehod.
and probably, with refined bnrbanty, selected for
this reason 10 add a last indignlty 10 the murder
he stepped from the crowd with a drawn sword.
and after insulting Mr.. Agnew for few minutes
with every abusive epithei which b foul language
can supply to a foul tongue struck him twice upon
the neck, and, with a third blow cut off his head.
Some other wretch discharged a musket into the
lifeess body Then Anderson was hacked TO
death with swords and aftervard the two bodies
were dragged outside, and slashed and insulted by
the crowd. Let US follow the blood
stained crowd. and see-where 60 they To the
Am Mas. lhere sih moOiral IN MS durbar,
already haunting Sidar Khan SINGH late his rival
now his prisoner. Room for the monster Goojur
Singh-the murderer! He apprenticeship crowd
make way for him, for some good man, and he
advances to Moolrai with Agnew's head in his
hand "Whst reward can Moolraj give for 30
noble and brave deed; VIII Goojur Singh accept
an eephsnt-a horse-a sword-a pstol-money;
file has only 10 name his own reward. . But " he
wants nothing-he is content with having served
Moolrajl"
At last this generous contention ends by AgDew's
own horse and pistol and handful Of rupees being
forced upon the murderer and, long afterwards,
poor Agnew's servants, peepIng from their hiding
places in the suburbs, could their masters as
ssssn caperng through the streets on their masters
well-renembered horse. But what became OF the
head Moolraj directed the head Of Mr.. Agnew TO
be thrown into the lap Of Sidar Kahn Singh; It was
thrown and the SIdah was told 10 take the head
Of the youth he had brought down TO govern Mou-
tan y The Sidar. thinking over many kIndnesses
and benefits he had received at the hands Of Mr.
Agnew, burst into tears. The head was imme
diately taken from him the nostrils and mouth
were filed with gunpovder; the mustachios, beard
and hair wetted and plastered with the same and