The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-09-09
8. From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
THE BRITISH In INDIA s

At this moment, when the attention of
the world is riveted on the East by the
deadly struggle which is going on there be-
tween the English nation and her subjects,
a brief review of the lives of persons and
of the events which gave to them their
vast possessions in that country may not
be devoid of interest to our readers.
In the beginning of the Eighteenth
Century the British possessions in the
East were limited to few Insignificant
forts and trading stations, held by permis-
sion of the native rules, to whom tribute
was paid for protection. The various
provinces of India were ruled by princes
or viceroys, who owed allegiance to the
Great Mogul. aa
To the French is due the honor of con-
ceiving the possibility of founding q Eu-
ropean Empire in the East. They FIRST
drilled the native in modern military tao
tics, and thus formed the soldier called
the "Sepoy," the same to whom the En-
gllsh owe their present difficulties. But
the English, taking advantage of the la
bors of their rivals, and foreseeing the
vast advantages that would arise the pos
session of SO extensive and rich country,
resolved to forestall them, and hence the
struggle between the two nations. At
this time India was conyulsed by civil
wars, and both. nations mingled in the
contests which were daily taking place be-
tween the various native princes. Feuds
were encouraged; the cause of the weak
was espoused; the strong were defeated
by stratagem, treachery and the superior
skill of the European seldiery, assisted by
the very people whom they were then
striving to rob of their wealth and liberty.
The East India Company dates its i'm
portance from the advent of Robert (af-
teward Lord) Give, who was born in En-
gland in 1925, and made his appearance
in the colony, while yet youth, in the
capacity of an under-clerk. In l746 the
French sent an expedition to India, which
appeared before and took Madras. Give,
who was at that time in the town, fed to
Fort st. David in the night Here he OBJ
tanned an ensign's commission, and thus
began his military career. M
A succession of brilliant victories placed
Give at the head of affairs in the East,
and dispelled the illusion among the natives
that the French were invincible.
| Pretext for q quarrel was easily found,
and large army entered Calcutta and i'm
prisoned the English inhabitants. The
town at this time contained but seventy
three English houses. It new has over
| Eve hundred thousand inhabitants. On
this occasion was enacted that terrible
tragedy which, after the lapse ofa century,
cannot be told without horror.
One hundred and forty-six prisoners. in
Guiding some of the most prominent meu
of the company, were thrown into dun
geon called the "Black Hole" Thisr room
was but twenty feet square, and SO badly
ventilated that it was difficult for a single
person to breathe in it.
/ They were driven in at the point of the
lsword-their shrieks and prayers disre.
Igarded, and when the guard came to re.
lease them in the morning, it was found
THAT but twentythree had survived the hor'
|rors of the night.
The English few to arms. Give, will
an army of only three thousand men-twe
thousand of whom were Sepoys-march
led against Surajah Dowlah, who mad,
preparations to receive him. The Prince
army consisted of over forty-6ve ,housant
foot, armed with firelocks, swords ane
4 spears, supported by long train of heavy
: artillery, drawn by elephants, and fifteer
thousand splendid cavalry. The armies
met and the battle of Plassy was fought
which resulted in the humiliation of hi
army. He was afterwards taken andpu
! to death by one of his own generals
| Nicer Jafier, who had been elevated to th'
throne by the English, in whose hands b
was but ruppet., a4
il Foothold thus gained, no effect wa
Ispared Ivy the English to extend their do