The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-03
IM6iH.

The history Of India is made up OF a series Of
| bloody and cruel oppression, in which the
inmate ferocity which seems 10 be an abiding ele-
men IN the eastern character has displayed its ut
most powers. Divided into many pretty pTinci-
paIitIes whose rules, depending upon the fear they
excite among their own people, and their neigh
bors, for the security Of their persons and their
thrones, have a: no time let pass, unimproved, op-
portunities OF enriching their treasures by ex.
torton or conquest, it has fallen an easy prey to
the aIl-absorbng influence Of the East India Com
pany, which, by lcrmentng native jealousies and
attacking the states in detail, has at length pos
sessed itself OF Dearly the whole Of its territory
From the rcmotes antiquity the East has been
land of iabed riches. A thousand years before
the Christian era, King Solomon obtained from
thence his stories Of spices and precious stones,
and the circutnus routes OF traffic, the wild and
savage tribes that cut off all direct communication
with the then known world, gave opportunity
Eor the fancy to revel in its widest conectures,
and peopled ii with a totally different from the
other inhabitants Of the earth. Alexander the
Great first destroyed these illusions by his famous
expedition about b. G.. 33I, in which he penetrated
10 the borders Of Ilindostan. Intercourse was es.
ablished, which has been maintained until The
present time with ever increasing freedom, sue.
cessvely enriching the nations who in turn be-
came its patrons, and pouring its untold millions
into the treasures OF the old world. Al length the
discovery by DIoz A. ID. 1856 OF route by the
the Cape Of Good Hope through the open sea, put
an end TO all further monopoly on the part ofthOse
whose favorable locations, power OF controlling
the of traffic, had enabled them engross
this trade TO the exclusion of all others. The
thirst for discovery and adventure was rife, and
Portuguese feet was ere long pIoughing the waters
of the Indian seas. But the trade was TOO impor-
tan 10 be given up without a struggle.
he of and II Ii1,S fo0v
their fate # their western neighbors were allowed
TO improve the immense advantage they possessed,
and endeavored by dn ofsuperior force TO destroy
the ships of the Portuguese. The latter, however,
and eE oYed the fruits Of their adven-
turous daring till I5O9 when the Dutch, Iured
by The prospect OF share Of these gains, fitted
out feet Of merchantmen laden with goods for
merchandise and barter Following closely upon
their footsteps came the English. seeking their
share Of the wealth of these tabled regions. The
merchants of London had lent ready ear TO the
marvellous tales OF the boundless wealth OF these
lands lying under The sun, and anxious to shake
off the restrictions and mpOstions OF the Vene-
tians, through whom alone their traffic 1ad been
carried on, eagerly embraced this opportunity OF
TO their own Golfers portion Of the
enormous profits which were reaped in its pursuit.
In / 600 an association was formed with sufficient
capital, which was incorporated by Queen Eliza
OetI, unoeT lne ueSSnauon OI - ne governor duu
Company OF Merchants Of London trading to the
East Indes.''
The French followed, and for a time so success.
fully prosecuted their undertaking, that the envy
and jealousy OF their island rivals were highly
cited, and upon rupture between the mother
countries an appeal 10 arms was resoFIed TO, Ia
determine which should be masters of the field.
Various fortunes bele each party, until May, 1850,
when Pondcherry, The last retreat Of the failing
French power in India, taken, and the Eng
sh left in undisturbed possession Of their
hard earned trading ground. From that period TO
he present time, The history of the country has
been nseperaLIe from that Of the East India Com.
Boston Transcript