Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-09-18
The state of Affairs in India

1t is impossible to give detailed account
OF the state Of things in British India. The
mass OF material in the shape OF private
letters, official statements and specuations of
all sorts, which accumulatcs with every
fresh arrival from Europe is beyond the
compass of our coumns-even if condensed
to fltieth part of its bulk. The truth
stands out that large part of British In
Ola is already in state OF open or incip-
lent revolt-that the strife is bloody one
on both sides-and on the side Of the ma e.
tive revolted troops, it is accompanied with
atrocities against the English of all ages
and sexes which are too horrible to relate
or to think of. 1t is impossible to sec what
the end will be. 1t will not be reached very
soon, and every day shows that the outlay
OF life and money necessary to bring the
country into subsection again, if it will be
at all possiblc-will be fearfuly great
Tie following from the n. Y Evening Post
gives an expressive sketch Of the case as it
ow stands.
From the y Y. Eve. Post
The news from India which arrives bv
the Europa goes far to confirm our worst
arprehensions The English have sustain
ed rapid succession Of defeats and dis
astcrs, aud at this moment in the Bengal
Presidency are rather in the condition to
sue Tor, than to dictate terms to the des
pissed Sepoys.
A. nj L., l,...
who was in command of Cawnpore, had
been compelled by famine to surrender to
one OF the insurgent leaders, Nena Suheb.
who treacherously murdered him and all
ms comrades, except about hundred
whom he retained as hostages.
Agra, capital Of the province of that
name, about IL miles outheast of Delhi.
with Il population o som hundred thous
and, has also been taken, and the British
forced to retire with a severe loss of offc-
ers.
Two native regiments at Seal Kote, about
10 miles from Ianiore, have lighted the
torch of instruction in the Punilub, thus
diminishing the hope that the government
prOiessed to entertain, of reintorcements
reaching Delhi by way OF the Indus
Ii, us there is now every reason to pre-
sumo, the garrison at Lucknow has also sue
cumbed, Ter situation being at last ac-
counts quite desperate, and no reinforce
ments having had an opportunity Of re-
lleyiug her, 50 far as we can gather, the
British do not hold an inch of territory be-
tween Delhi and Allahabad, a city some
tour hundred miles distant, from whence
any achievements will have to fght their
WY through hostile and partially-armed
population t. the relief of the besierers of
Deihl.
Our intelligence from that capital was
to the lfth Of July. 1t was still in the
Possession OF the mutineers, and likely to
remain there, the effective force of the
besicge:s having been reduced to two
thousand men by disease, and by drafts for
the relief OF other places not named. but
probably Agra was the principal one.
We treinblc at the news which the next
steamer may bring. What but Il special
lnterpp,itlun Of Providence can save the
small band who are gathered before Delhi
IRON impending destruction Disease and
war are thinning their already feeble
numbers ramdly-thcy will soon be
Obliged to surrender or retire But where
can they retire too They have not Il
place OF refuge within four hundred miles.
ana, at TINS season OF the year, we cannot
conceive it possible for two thousand
troops, wearled and worn with the iatigues
OF Il seventy days siege, without ammuni-
toh-lor ny the previous arrival we were
advised that the besicgers were Obliged on
one occasion to retire temporarily before
their ass ,ilants for the want of ammum-
lion-with limited supply Of provisions,
is to be presumed, to retreat four hundred
mites through country infested by u
hostile population, numbering many
millions, ana animated apparently by the
deajiisst hatred OF the English race. How
TINS Little army Is to be relieved it is diff
cu!t to conjecture, and unless relieved it is
yet more difficult to conceive how 1t can
escape utter dcstI uctiOn.
Inc Queen may well say that the situa-
Ton oi her sag c.s in India has given her
90 &4c.uc cOLccru.'