Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-08-07
English Tortnre in India.

The London Weekly Times publishes an
extract from an English work, entitled The
Sepoy Revolt, by Henry Mead" which has
lately been published in London. The Times
introduces the paragraph with the following
remark:
The English people should not get credit,
or rather discredit, for that whirh belongs to
acts committed in their name. The mort hOr-
rible rerelatiOn Of modern times Is indispu-
td6ly the practice Of the torture in India, not
with the sanction indeed, but nth the cOnni-
rance IF successire GOUernOrs General
The following is the extract:
The following list of the tortures current in
Travancore was prepared in 1s4s, by an En-.
gIish gentleman Of the highest responsibility
at that time, and for many years previous
residing in the country. 1t will be seen that
the operator had an extensive choice in his
modes Of treatment, and could deal with any
kind Of subject in any locality. Some Of the
kinds Of torture were constantly practiced,
others with less frequency; but there were q
few Of the Government servants who learned
the whole system, and could apply any exam.
pie Of persuasive treatment that might be re.
quired. Beating hardly comes under the head
Of torture, thO"gh the Burmese method Of
laying the patient down on his face, and
AuCCOtUB utS O@SA " ANu kuC StUOWS VI y bGVuB
man, approaches very near it.
Our catalogue should commence with rack
ing the arms backwards with cords frightened
with increasing severity. While the arms
are thus tied, bearing down the neck by .
heavy weight pressing on the nape. In sew.
eral ways wrenchiDg several parts Of the body,
even to the diSlOcation Of bones. Using an
instrument called the "kitti, formed BY two
sticks connected by . loose joint at one end,
which serves as q fulcrum, the two sticks being
levers between which the fingers, &C., are
squeezed; the degree OftightneSs is not limit.
ed, but increased according to the nature Of
the case and the will of the torturer. Whip
ping with a species Of singing nettle Tying
two women together by their long hair, and
suSpendng . weight on that hair between
them. Using a long iron rod, with rings
which slide on it, each one fitted to contain u
leg when these are filled, pulling the rod,
with violence, through hole in the wall of a
wooden frame, by one end, so that all the legs
are jammed up together At the other end.-
Suspending by the hands on . pole for a
heightened time. 1t is not needful to tie
hands together; they can be constituted self.
SuSpenders in this manner; while holding
the hands in front with the palms inward
toward the chest, and the fingers extended,
turn them inward. and then lock them one ~
the other, so that the ends Of the fingers on
one hand rest in the palm Of the other; then
q pole passed across them inside, which will
suspend the body, its pressure preventing the
fingers from slipping out While suspended
in this manner, lighting . fire beneath the
victiu,. Adding to their Sutferings by throw.
lug the strongest red pepper on the tire, 50
that its severely pungent fumes assail his eyes,
nose and throat. Shutting up in close room,
and then smoking the sufferer. Applying hot
pincerH, and that to par Is Of the body winch
cannot be mentioned. Enclosing number u
pinching. beetles in half cOcOa.nut shell, and
living il over the naval, 10 that the hOrrid Sen.
Nation of digging into the bowels is inflicted.
Rubbing the arm, from the wrist to the elbow.
with salt and sand. then applying Longitude.
nally number Of eekil or ribs Of the cocoa
nut leaf, and tying them on firmly, then fOrci.
bly, drawing them out one by one, the finer
end frst, so that each one, by its own increaS-
ing thickness, and aided by the salt under.
meath, cuts burningly into the flesh, and leaves
its burning sting.
As q cOtempOrary truly remarks, II the
above testimony had come from any but
purely English source, it would be difficult to
give L credit. 1t enables us to appreciate the
genuinencss Of British philanthropy for the
slaves Of the South. If . solitary slave in the
United States had been exposed with the con-
nivance Of successive Governors General"
should we ever have heard the last Ofit3 AZ
ter these startling admissions, We can scarcely
wonder aA the Indian rebellion.