This detachment, on its first moving cut of Trichinopoly, towards the end of the month of December, and before the anticipation of hostilities, on the part of the King of Travancore, was confided to the command of lieutenantcolonel Macleod, of his Majesty s 69th regiment, which formed a part of the garrison at Trichinopoly, then under the command of the honourable lieutenant-colonel Arthur Sentleger, an officer of long standing, of great experience, and not less reputation in local warfare. The arrangement of all matters relative to the equipment and dispatch of the detachment which took some time in adjusting, was left to the commandant of the garrison and station, who used every exertion to facilitate the public service. When this had been perfected, and the Cetachment, consisting of his Majesty's ooth regiment, the 6th regiment of Native cavalry, the 1st and 2nd battalion of the 13th regiment of Native Infantry, with a full company of European artillery, had proceeded certain stages on its march, the honourable lieutenant-colonel Sentleger, addressed a letter, on the 28th of December, to the commander-in-chief, general Macdowall, requesting respectfully to be informed of the reason that so large a body of troops had been taken, in so marked a manner, from under his command, and placed, without any explanation or apology, under the order of a junior officer, while he himself was left at head quarters, with one troop of his own regiment, the 6th Native cavalry, and barely four companies of infantry, to garrison the company's principal southern fort. The honourable and spirited writer concluded, in the event of a satisfactory explanation being witheld from him, out of policy or any other motive, with soliciting that a court martial might be assembled to enquire into his conduct, which stood impeached in his own consideration, and the eyes of the army, by so singular an appointment over his head. The nomination in question had been made by the government, to whom general Macdowall thought it necessary to forward, with a proper recommen

dation, the colonel's address. But it appears, that while the letter yet remained in the general's hands, that the government itself had removed the supposed reproach of colonel Sentleger, by appointing him, according to his natural and reasonable expectations, to the command of the detachment then in progress.

This appointment took place on the 16th of January, and though it might be imagined to wear something of the appearance of a reluctant selection, that circumstance abated not any thing of the zeal, as it is about to be shewn, ofthe officer appointed; nor discredited, in the event, the more slow, and, it may be conceived, the more considered judgment of the government.

Colonel Sentleger joined and took charge of the detachment on the 20th of January, and arrived at Palamcottah, without any intermediate events worthy of note, on the 31st; having left the main body, that reached the same place on the next day, under the command of colonel Macleod. At this place, it was understood that the detachment would be reinforced by an European regiment, and field pieces from Ceylon, but these not appearing in good time, colonel Sentleger, sensible of the necessity of rapid and immediate operations, from the season and circumstances of the campaign, after detaching a sufficient succour to lieutenant-colonel Vesey in Tinnevelly, and providing his detachment with the necessaries requisite for its march, proceeded without an hour's delay, to the frontier of Travancore, and appeared off the Arambooly gate on the 6th of February; and hence we have to trace the proceedings of the detachment, with a lively and continued interest.

But before these regular military operations be pursued in their due and appropriate order, it may not be unseasonable to explain, as the means for the first time now present themselves, the public and avowed causes of them. The government at this season thought fit, for the purpose of quieting the minds, of the neighbouring powers, and the subjects of the bordering territories, as well as to conciliate the

good opinion of the people of Travancore, who might be averse from the measure of war, to transmit for publication a proclamation, in different languages, to be distributed by the commanders of the company's forces, in the various districts under their controul. In these official notifications, the intentions of the government, in invading the king lom of Travancore, are specifically announced. After describing the long-subsisting alliance between the two states, and the services rendered by the British government lately and of old, these representations set forth, "that military preparations of great extent had lately taken place in Travancore, hostile to the interests of the British government, that the person of its resident had been attacked by the Travancore troops, and that an assault had been made on the subsidiary force at Quilon, that these outrages had proceeded, as the governor in council believed, from the desperate intrigues of the Dewan, who had endeavoured, by false insinuations, to excite rebellion in the company's territories. In order to defeat these daring plans that the governor in council had directed a large body of troops to move into Travancore, who would in a short time put an end to the power of the Dewan, and restore order and peace, That the inhabitants ought not to take alarm at the appearance of the British troops, since the British government had no other view, than to rescue the rajah from the influence of his minister, and to re-establish the connection between the two governments." This singular and curious paper concluded with an exhortation to the people of Travancore to co-operate with the British government, promising them in that event the fullest protection -holding out at the same time the strongest assurance of support to the Brahmins, and religious establishment, of the country.

Not wishing to delay the detail of the military transactions of the war, for the hostilities from this period must be taken to bear this legitimate charac

ter, by any nice examination of the particulars stated as the immediate causes of hostility, we may be allowed in this place to express our regret that certain statements are wanting in this paper, which would seem otherwise to be deficient for the justification of the war, even on the footing on which the government has chosen to put it.

It is to be lamented, that nothing is said in the proclamation, that a demand had been previously made on the behalf of the British government, and refused, of an explanation of the reason for the alleged extensive armaments of the Travancore government; or that an application had been preferred by the King of Travancore to the British government, in the alleged abject state of his authority, (which had been usurped, as it would appear, by his Dewan) accompanied by a requisition for the assistance of his ally, in co-operation with him, for the restoration of his power. From the silence of this State Paper, in points so essential, it may chance to be inferred, that, notwithstanding the specious grounds alleged in it, it contains little else than an assertion, though somewhat disguised, of the right of interference of the company's government in the regulation of the internal affairs of the Rajah's dominions. Such an inference might receive a colour also, from the preceding acts of the British government, in ordering, some time before, considerable bodies of troops to Travancore-a circumstance that might, in itself, have induced, as a necessary measure of precaution, those very military preparations principally described and complained of in the proclamation: an official declaration, of this strange and novel feature, that it announces hostility against an ancient and faithful ally, while it exonerates him, in the same breath, from all share in the circumstances stated as the reasons of warfare.

So far as can be collected from the paper, it is a simple declaration of personal hostility, and on personal grounds. against the Dewan; which it proposes

by the inversion of the common rule of justice, to revenge on a friendly unoffending sovereign, and his devoted people. A more unblushing manifestation of tyranny, perhaps, is not to be found in the acts of the unsparing conqueror of the western world. It were better surely to have avowed not any reason for the violation of the Travancore frontier, than have set forth so weak, and so untenable a cause; as unjust in fact, as indefensible in policy.

But if the war might want any thing in justice, or in principle, as it may be supposed from the view of the manifesto, it wanted nothing, it should seem, in that imposing effect, derived from brilliant exploits, to render its progress and its end admired, in the uniformity of the success attending it, which it is now our business to pursue. It has been cefore stated, that colonel Sentleger arrived off the Arambonly lines on the 6th of February, and on the same day, it appears that the whole of the forces under his command, encamped within three miles of those extensive fortifications, which were hitherto supposed, from their intrinsic strength, the natural obstacles against approach, and from ancient repute and superstition, to be impregnable on every side. On this and the three following days, the gallant commander of the expedition was employed in examining the strength of the northern and southern lines, and determining on the point of attack; which was judiciously chosen on various parts of the northern, or Arambooly lines, and measures promptly taken for carrying that determination into effect.

As these far-famed works must be generally known, it will not be necessary to give a more particular description of them, than by stating that they constitute a line of fortifications, defended at regular intervals with bastions, of three quarters of a mile in extent, continued from hill to hill, running in the same direction, which are thereby incorporated in the defence. At each extremity is a hill, several hundred paces in advance, on which strong redoubts are constructed, flanking each division of

the line. The natural rampart of the mountains, thus strengthened by art, separates the Rajah's territories from the company's; the great Arambooly gate covering the principal pass through the mountains.

After some working parties of pioneers had cleared, with indefatigable labour,' a narrow track through the Jungle, both on the north and south side of the Arambooly gate, colonel Sentleger detached a party to reconnoitre, and to make a demonstration of attack on the redoubts on the hill, in advance of the northern extremity of the line; while a more serious attack was meditated at a contrary point.

The command of the second detachment, consisting of the two flank companies of his majesty's 69th regiment, and four flank, and five battalion companies of the 3d Native regiment, was given to major Welsh To this small force was added a few pioneers, with scaling ladders, and about an equal number of artillery. This brave party, under its no less brave and enterprising commander, left the British encampment in the evening of the 9th, with directions to storm the batteries on the hill, in front of the southern extremity of the line; and, after subduing theintervenient difficulties, presenting themselves in thick uncleared jungles, abrupt ascents, rocky fissures, and deep ravines, at length arrived, almost exhaus.ed under cover of the night, and after six hours continued scrambling, at the foot of the walls on the top of the bill, which they immediately scaled, to the surprise and consternation of the enemy, and marvellously carried, after a slight and ineffectual opposition, driv ing the enemy down the hill. The batteries, enfilading the whole of the line on this side of the gate, were now opened, and directed against the main line of the enemy's defence, and effected an immediate and visible execation. At this juncture, colonel St. Leger reinforced the storming party by an additional company of the 69th regiment, and three companies of the 1st battalion of the 13th Native regiment, under captain Hodgson;

who followed the leading detachment by the same arduous route. So soon as this well-timed reinforcement was descried by major Welsh, at the break of day, he withdrew, and headed a party of his detachment in storming the main lines, and, by dint of courage and constancy, carried them in despite of a brisk and more-collected resistance. The enemy, at day light, struck with the appearance of the British flag in their strongest positions, and of the approach of the main body of the troops, in maintenance of the advantages already gained, and astonished, more than all, by the prodigy of British valour, just exhibited, abandoned, quite panic-struck, the northern redoubt, and the whole of the line, on that side of the centre gate, without firing a shot, or waiting to take a distinct view of the assailants. Thus auspicious was the opening of the regular campaign, putting, at one moment, and by one effort, skilfully planned, and most ably executed, the whole extent of the Travancore barrier, hitherto deemed unassailable, the arsenal, well furnished with arms, ammunition, and military stores, into the complete possession of the British commander, with the route and discomfiture of the enemy, employed in their defence, amounting in number to five or six thousand men.

In his report of this signal success, colonel St. Leger spoke with sincere acknowledgment of the gallant and enterprising spirit of major Welsh, and lieutenant Bertram, of the pioneers, and of all the officers and men who distinguished themselves in their various duties on this memorable day, as well as of major Lambton, acting in the engineer's department, for the aid of his professional skill, and of lieutenant-colonel Macleod, the second in command, for his willing zeal in bringing forward, and directing, the strength of his regiment in aid of the operation. The governor in council, to whom

the report was addressed, conveyed his expression, to use his own terms, of his warmest approbation and thanks to the honourable lieutenant-colonel St. Leger, and requested him to make known to the officers and troops under his command, particularly to major Welsh, the sentiments of cordial approbation due to their meritorious conduct.*

Several succeeding days were employed in the destruction of the enemy's works and unserviceable ordnance, as well as in the construction of defences for the principal gateway, which was converted into a strong post, as a security to the rear of the British force on its advance into the country, and for the purpose of keeping-up a communication with the district of Tinnevelly. Nor was the British commandant occupied solely on military objects, but directed his attenin the interim to several important civil arrangements. The proclamation issued by the government was circulated with great industry throughout the country, and the strongest assurances were given, on the personal pledge of the commanding officer, of the amicable sentiment of the British government towards such of the inhabitants as should feel disposed to profit by it, and of complete security to their private property, and their civil and religious customs and usages.

The wisdom of these arrangements were immediately perceived by the flocking in, on every side of the Bri tish camp, of the headmen and principal inhabitants of the neighbouring villages, to avail themselves of the protec tion of the government; equally promised to them and to the sovereign, in the terms of the proclamation. So much loyalty and affection to their king, was felt by eyery description of the Native inhabitants, that the only hesitation they expressed in accepting the offered security was, as represented by colonel St. Leger, that their allegiance to their

natural lord might be thereby suspected, or called into doubt, and which appre hension the British command.nt could not have removed, but by adding his individual promise to the public assurances. These united had induced a general conti chce, tending much to benent the aspect of affairs-but which Was Corcel gained, before it was likely to be endangered by a circumstance, wholly unforeseen by the comnardant, and which, if it had not been obviated by his prudence, and firmness, would not only have been the means of disturbing the growing good understanding, but of introducing in its stead, disa isfaction and cis

trust.

The British detachment, after the reduction of the barrier, had taken up a position about two miles within the line; and the country, for some distance from the encampment, was so on placed, from the precautions already noticed, in a condition of quiet and tranquillity; the inhabitants visiting the British lines, with a freedom hardly to be expected in the state of things. Perceiving the extent of country reduced into subjection and order, without considering sufficiently the means that had conduced to it, the collector of the revenues of Tinnevelly proposed to colonel Sentleger, in virtue of orders received from the government of Fort St. George to that effect, to introduce, with the aid of the local military force, the company's civil authority into the Travancore districts, immediately subdued, or, more correctly speaking, voluntarily submitting to the British protection. This most unwise proposal was resisted by col. Sentleger, as well from a full sense of the mischief that would result from the adoption of it, a- from an impression, arising out of bis private feelings, that his own honot and reputation would not be less implicated in such a proceeding, than the public faith. The civil arrangements submitted by the collector were, in consequence, suspended, on the responsibility of the commanding officer; who, by his manly conduct, saved the character of his government, at the hazard of his own,

In the interval, between the 10th and the 16th of February, colonel Sentleger received a reinforcement from Ceylon, of a company of royal artillery, with six light guns, and his Majesty's 3d Ceylon regt. (or Caffree corps) consisting of about 500 men.-Conceiving himself, with this accession, strong enough for further offensive operations, he pushed on his force, atter having left a party adequate to the defence of the Arambooly gate, towards Cotar and Nagre Coil, where he had received intelligence that the enemy had taken post in great strength.

The position of the enemy in these villages was naturally strong, fortified by a battery in front commanding the only road of approach, which was narrow and rugged. It was moreover defended by a river in advance, with a single bridge, under the guns of the battery, and a thick jungle in the rear. The dewan had encouraged and animated the troops in possession of this advantageous position, to a desperate defence, by his personal address, and by promises of future favor; but did not think proper to risk his individual safety on the issue of the attack; having retired to the fort of Papanaveram, about two days previous to the advance of the British force, which occurred on the 17th of February.

The force detached by col. Sentleger to dislodge the enemy, from so favorable a position, was adapted, and appointed with a due consideration of the strength, to which it was to be opposed. It consisted of the flank companies of his Majesty's 69th regt. under lieut. col. Maceod; the whole of the 3d Ceylon regt, under lieut.col. Morrice, three troops of cavalry, commanded by major Nothall, the flank companies of the 1st and 24 battalions of the 3d Native infantry, and of the 1st battalion of the 13th, with a company of pioneers under lieut. Patterson, accompanied by the detachment of royal artillery, with six light three pounders, under capt. Bates; the galloper of the cavalry, and the brigade of six pounders attached tothe first battalion of the 13th regiment, forming in all, a formidable and highly-equipped detach