The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-06-09

EXECUTION OF TANTTA ToPEE. The news
just received from Europe brings intelligence of
the execution, by the English authorities, Of
Tantia Topee, the fugitive chief of the great In
dia rebellion who was recently captured in Cen
trail India, after long battling every endeavor
put forth to effect this object. he had been
tried by drum head court-martial and hanged. "
Thus is ended career of almost unparalleled at
rocity, and thus are being extinguished those
embers of discomfort which but short time ago
threatened to break out in fresh tragedies of hor
ror, whenever the return Of hot weather should
encourage renewed attempts at insurrection.
The Friend of Iatdta of late date said "a
second mutiny is more than possible---it is prob
able" But the subsequent successes of the En-
glish troops, then dispersed in small attachments
through the country, in tracing to their jungles
the chiefs of the rebels forces, must have given
renewed assurance of the stability of the new
Government, and the continuance of order in
the provinces. A such juncture, and with so
much material exposed to combustion, it was of
the greatest Importance that the chief instiga-
tors of rebellion should be exterminated Even
guerilla warfare kept up at an inhosptable
season, with chief SO artful, hardy, and I'M
have been attended with great sacrifice of life on
the part of the strangers.
The Importance of Tantia Topee as a chieftain
appears from the fact that since he attacked Sir
Hugh Roses force under the walls Of Jhansi
every British general of any repute in Central
India has yainly endeavored to effect his capture
for no sooner was he defeated in one instance and
his followers apparently scattered, than new
irrnptions would take plaza in quarters least ex-
pected even while the English troops Sancied he
was environed beyond a chance fescape In
repeated encounters, he was despoiled Of artillery
and his forces wasted yet without seeming to
impair his courage or diminish his hopes of
success.
And when at length captured, the result was
attributable rather to the treachery of profes.
sed friend than to any other cause. Who Tantia
Topee was is notdefnitely known. The Lon
don Standard of the 10th ult. says
lie has been variously reported as Mana Sahib
as his cousin and as low adventurer, risen
| from the Sepoy ranks. All We know is that
under this name rebel chief has given US more
trouble, and has displayed greater ability in the
| field, than any other native His history during
/ the last six months would sound marvellous to
English ears, SO vast is the extent of territory
which he has traversed so miraculous has been
his escape from the columns which were despach-
ed in his pursuit. Indeed, his activity carries us
back to the days of the old Mahratta chieftians,
and his courage and perseverance awake SYM
pathy scarcely depressed by the recollection of
his crimes. He it was who marched down with
/ the Gwalior men from his throne, and whose
influence and power caused more than one power
fui rajah to devote his army and his fourtune to
the rebel cuuse. Worsted whenever he turned
to bay, he contrved to lead his dispirited follow
ers from the banks of the Sumna to the province
of Guzerat, and then rctraced his footsteps
through the midst Of the columns assembled to
effect his capture
! The whole of Central India was traversad in
his rapid flight, and it is not going too far to
say that towards the close of his career he gave
employment to the armies, and excited the con-
stant alarms of the three presidences."
The native chieftans who still refuse allegiance
to the British Authorities are represented as
much inferior to Tantia Topee, their leading
spirit, and there was reason 70 hope that all
would soon return to subsection.