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chief was to restore them to the rightful owners which object was immediately carried into effect.

The terms agreed upon with Runjeit Sing, being thus executed without loss of time or effusion of blood, Colonel St. Leger broke up with the army from Loodahaunah and the troops were distributed into different cantonments.

In the course of these transactions an incident took place, not unworthy of notice, though somewhat out of place, as illustrative of the superstition which forms so striking a part of the character of the Hindoos. Shortly after Mr. Melcalfe, the British negotiator, met Runjeit Sing at Imrutsir, for the purpose of concluding the treaty, Mr. Melcalfe's guards, consisting of two companies of Sepoys, under captain Popham, being Mussulmans, were engaged, according to annual custom, in celebrating the Mahommedan festival Moharrem, (or New-year's day) which fell in the first week of March. The Seiks are extremely bigotted, generally detesting all other sects, but above all the Mahommedans. They therefore, would. under any circumstances, have been shocked and enraged at the celebration of the rites of Islamism on their soil, and in their presence; but Imrutsir being rendered a place of peculiar sanctity in their estimation, because the remains of their prophet Nanock Shah, are buried there, Mahommedan ceremony was considered nothing short of profanation and sacrilege; the fury of the Seiks broke through all restraint. They sallied from the town to the number of four or five hundred, in battle array, and advancing towards the guard, then on parade, they took post behind an adjoining hill, whence they commenced an irregular fire. Captain Popham knew not how to interpret this proceeding, and could scarcely believe it seriously hostile till lieutenant Ferguson and one of his men were wounded: he then ordered his men to advance, and, when they had come sufficiently near to the fanatics, to fire a volley and charge. This order was instantly carried into execution, and the Seiks were immediately dispersed and driven into the

ditch of the town. Runjeit Sing, who knew nothing of the transaction, ran to the spot as soon as the alarm reached him, and made every effort to restrain the Seiks, and to send away the Sepoys in security under the escort of a strong force. They had, however, sufficiently shewn their ability to defend themselves; for they had killed five of the Seiks, and wounded twenty-five, whereas their own casualties did not exceed seventeen wounded.

The ratifications of the treaty being exchanged in the stipulated time, Runjeit again paid a complimentary visit to Mr. Metcalfe; an interchange of presents took place, and every appearance of friendship was manifested. Mr. Metcalfe soon after took his leave, and returned to Calcutta.

In the month of August preparations were set on foot at Rewarree for the march of a very considerable detachment of the army against a fortified town, (Bhowanie) in the Hurrianah country. This town is situated on a long tract of dependent country, lying between the Jumna and the Sutledge. The inhabitants of this strong post had for some time past laid the travellers through the district under daily contributions; and had the audacity, in a very recent instance, to plunder the baggage of a British detachment, on their march in that direction. A proper representation of the depredation was made to the chief of the place, which was followed by a peremptory denial of reparation in terms of insolence and hostility. To revenge the insult, and to prevent future aggression of a similar nature, the armament at Rewaree was ordered, and promptly and expeditiously executed. The command of it was given to colonel Bell, who marched on the 20th of that month, and arrived before Bhowannie, and summonued it on the 27th. The besieged garrison had 24 hours to consider of the terms proposed--which were absolutely rejected. Colonel Bell immediately consulted means for the reduction of the place, and on the 28th the whole British detachment was drawn out in front of Bhowannie, consisting of four battalions of Native infan

try, one regiment of cavalry, 600 irregular horse, and a powerful train of artillery. The enemy's force was estimated at 4500 men. Batteries were so quickly erected by the British troops, that they were ready to pour their fire into the town by six o'clock on the following morning. By noon on the same day a practicable breach was made in the walls, and an immediate assault was ordered.

The storming party moved down in two columns, one advancing from the right, and the other from the left of the camp, the first commanded by lieutenant-colonel Mc Grath, and the second by major Smith. Before these parties could reach the ramparts, the enemy had the confidence to sally out and attack the column under lieutenant-colonel Mc Grath, sword in hand, but was repulsed with great slaughter, by the coolness and intrepidity of the British grenadiers. The Sepoys followed the fugitives closely into the town, clambering over the breach and scaling the walls in every quarter, and, after a severe contest, completely succeeded in driving out the enemy. So many as escaped the bayonet within the wails, were cut down by the cavalry, surrounding the town, so that scarcely one escaped. The troops had been twelve hours under arms before the garrison was fully in their pos-ession, and the defence is said to have been as resolute, as any in the recollection of the oldest soldier present, continuing, without interruption, for three bours and an half.

About this time, or a little subsequently, some apprehensions were raised by the adherents of the Maharajah, Runjeit Lund Sing, a Seik Chieftain, on the banks of the Jamna; and by Dowlut Rao Scindia, who had beg egan to levy contributions on the Rajahpoot country. But these were put to rest on the one side by the prompt measures of colonel Ochterlony, who had been staticued at Loodehaunab, on the return of general St. Leger into the company's provinces and on the other, by the Mahratta Chieftain having confined his predatory attempts and demonstrations to the Rajah of Jey

pore. The determination of these affairs so speedily and so fortunately, allowed time to the governor-general to attend to some domestic events, which threatened more than any of the circumstances already noticed, to disturb the tranquillity and safety of the country, These originated in the insubordination of the greater part of the company's troops, serving under the presidency of Fort St. George. To such a height had it arrived in the month of July, that the governor-general had thought it prudent to issue a proclamation declaratory of his intention to proceed to fort St. George for the purpose of interposing the su preme authority to repress the spirit of revolt.

As it will be necessary, in a separate place, to speak of the causes and pro-' gress of the military discontent at that presidency, and the measures taken by the supreme, and the local, government, for the suppression of it; it does not seem requisite to advert more particu larly to it here, where the detail is principally confined to an enumeration of the military transactions in Bengal, Of these nothing remains to be noticed, but the return of an expedition, fitted out in the year preceding, for the occupation of the Portuguese settlement of Macao, in consequence of the events which had occurred in Europe, through the design and attempts of the emperor of France, to make himself master of Spain and Portugal. This expedition, comprehending a body of troops under the command of major Weguelin, embarked, as will be recollected, on board admiral Drury's squadron, and proceeded to Macao, with the intention of occupying that place, to prevent its being possessed by the French, in virtue of their presumed conquest of Portugal. But this stroke of precautionary policy, however consistent with the recently recognized system of Europe, was not at all understood by the Chinese, who conceived themselves principal parties in regulating the occupancy of the settlement, and possessed of a right to determine whom they would admit to hold it instead of being bound to

accept any substitute for the former possessors, according to the lottery of a war carried on in Europe. The consequence was, that, although the troops landed, and took possession without difficulty, all communication was broken off by the Chinese. A stop was altogether put to trade, and it was thought a happy conclusion of the affair, to re-establish the former intercourse on the condition of with drawing the troops. The expedition, of course, returned to Bengal, reinfecta, in the month of February. The commander, and the officers and men composing the expedition, received the thanks of the government for their conduct.

Lord Minto was not prevented by these warlike occupations from directing his attention to arrangements of equal importance, though of a peaceful and political nature. The principal object of this description, to which the governor-general directed his attention, was an embassy to the king of Cabul. This embassy, at the head of which the honourable Mr. Elphinstone was placed, had, for its particular object, to counteract the intrigues of the French embassy, then at the court of Persia.

The kingdom of Cabul, inhabited by the Afghans, is situated, upon the Attock and Indus, to the north of Lahore, bordering upon Persia, of which it was originally a province, till conquered by the Moghuls. It was subsequently re-united to Persia by Nadir Shah;* but is now independent, and of considerable importance to the attack, or defence, of the British territories in India. Cabul, intersected with chains of lofty mountains, and large rivers, forms a sort of barrier, which, if gained by the invaders, facilitates their irruption, if held by or for the defenders, balfes attack. The progress of the embassy, as detailed in its journals, and in the accounts, successively given, in the appropriate part of this volume, is interesting, from the variety of non-descript countries

through which it passed; from the difficulties of travel it frequently encountered; and the adventures it sometimes met. During its stay at Bikaneer, and in the passage of the desert, an interval of about five weeks altogether, at the close of 1808, the health of the escort suffered extremely; but was entirely re-established soon after it entered the cultivated country on the other side, in the beginning of the new year. The appearance of a band of Europeans in a country, whore, except, perhaps, in a few instances of single individuals, that people had never been seen, excited great surprize and curiosity, and attracted, in some places, such multitudes of gazing Afghans, that the members of the embassy found it difficult to pass from tent to tent, in the stations where they halted; and, although no rudeness was offered to then, it was found convenient to prevent the repetition of such intrusion, by surrounding the camp, at the time of halting, with a sort of screen called Kanauts. The chiefs every where manifested the greatest civility; but some of them entertained suspicions, which induced them to take the precaution of strengthening their garrisons, and shutting their towns; this, however, was done without any departure from a personal demeanour, which was always marked by polite

ness.

On entering the territory of Cabul, the embassy received information that the king, Soojah-ul-Mulk, was not at his capital, but had made a progress southward to Peshour. This journey was generally, and, as it afterwards appeared, justly attributed to an intended expedition against Cashmire, though it was considered by some of the embassy, that the most natural, as well as the most simple, motive, was the desire of passing the winter in a milder climate, rather than in the midst of the mountains of Candahar, which were then covered with snow.

While the embassy waited an invi

* See Compendium of the Modern Persian History, in the preceding volume, pages 12. 16. 20. 27.

tation to proceed to the king's presence, information was received, that the Persian monarch had sent two of his brothers to Cabul, to endeavour to negotiate a peace. This intelligence, of course, gave additional importance to the mission, and quickened their zeal and activity. But as it was uncertain what route they should take; some reports representing the king as still proceeding on his route to Peshour, while others stated that he was on his return to Candahar, it was thought best to await more accurate information in Moultan, which the gentlemen of the embassy described, in the month of January, as a climate, at that season, most delightful. They made use of this interval to cross several considerable rivers, and among them the Indus, which might have retarded their progress, if the passage had been deferred. During this halt, an English deserter, of the name of John Pensley, came into the camp, and conversed with the embassy. He related, that himself, and two others, had entered the service of the Native chiefs, by whom they were well treated; but it appears they were well watched also. One of his comrades was in confinement, for what cause is not stated. This man wore the Mahommedan dress, and appeared, in every respect, like a Native. He and his comrades were married men, and conformed in every thing to the customs of the country. The embassy did not, it appears, derive any very useful information from this gentleman, except an injunction to cultivate the growth of their mustachoes, which he represented as essential to their being treated with respect.

At length the expected permission arrived, and the embassy pursued its march to Peshour, where it arrived on the 25th of February. The country through which it passed is described as beautiful, watered by the Indus, which is said to be about 300 yards in breadth, running, in a deep clear stream, between two ridges of rocks. The termination of their long and painful journey was heard with pleasure, by the members of the

embassy; and arrangements were made for the ceremonial of the audience which was expected to take place in a few days.

It appeared, by the succeeding accounts, that the result of the audience was most favourable; the embassy continued to enjoy the greatest hospitality and kindness: Mr. Elphinstone was to have a private audience of the king; and the embassy was to accompany his majesty, in his return northward to Cabul, which was expected speedily to take place. These favourable appearances were, however, soon troubled, although but for a time, by one of those extraordinary vicissitudes, from which the history of Europe, in our own times, have shewn, that no sovereigns are exempt; but which are more frequent in the less settled kingdoms of the East. Mahmood Shah, half brother to the king, and a pretender to the musnud, made his appearance, in Candahar, at the head of a powerful force, with which he soon made himself master of the whole province; and when the intelligence was dispatched to the king, he was on full march for the capital. This Mahmood had, about seven years before, seized, and dethroned Zemaun Shah, the king then reigning. Soojah-ul-Mulk, the younger brother of Zemaun, escaped to the mountains, and lived among the Khybours, (a sort of predatory tribe) till he contrived to collect a force among them sufficient to assert his claim. With this force he encountered, and defeated, Mahmood, taking possession of the throne. With a clemency very unusual, in such cases, among Asiatics, besides saving Zemaun Shah, he granted a pardon to Mahmood, gave him his liberty, and a pension.

But Mahmood ungrate fully made use of this indulgence to levy an army, and once more to invade Cabul, and dispute the throne with his preserver and benefactor.

The rapid progress of Mahmood's arms was, at this time, particularly alarming, as the greater part of the king's army, amounting to 12,000 men, was absent with the vizier, on the expedition in Cashmire.

Intelligence was immediately dispatched to press the vizier to conclude the settlement of that province, and to return to Peshour, in order that the king might march with the army to meet Mahmood in Candahar. As the vizier had defeated Mohan med Khan, and possessed himself of the fortress of Buramoollah, between the army of that rebellious chief and the capital, within three days march of which the army of Cabul had advanced, it was expected that these objects might be speedily effected. The return of the vizier, however, did not keep pace with the urgency of the occasion; and many inferior chiefs, and persons in trust, consulting their advantage, appeared disposed to join the party that seemed likely, under existing circumstances, to prevail.

The mutual pretensions of the contending chiefs, Mahmood and Soojahul-Mulk, will be better understood by the following statement :

Timour Shah, the father of both, died after a reign of nineteen years, leaving nineteen sons. To the eldest, Humaioon, he gave the sovereignty of Herat, and Candahar; to Zemaun Shah, his favourite, who was by a different mother, he gave Cabul, and the rest of his Afghan possessions, as well as Cashmire and Moultan. Zemaun Shah, being of a warlike disposition, attacked Humaioon, whom he despoiled of his succession, and deprived of sight for security. Zemaun was a prince of great power, and was, for some time, formidable even to the British empire, in so much that recourse was had both to Petersburg and to Constantinople for influencing Persia to create a diversion against him.

An army under Sir James Craig, was sent against him, about nine years before the date of the embassy, and endeavoured, though unsuccessfully, to bring him to a battle. Mahmood, the full brother of Humaioon, claimed, at this juncture, the succession to his throne, and having secured it by arms, attacked Zemaun Shah, whom he dethroned and blinded in his turn. Soojah-ul-Mulk, the brother of Zemaun Shah, on the first usurpation

of the Shah's dominions, was obliged to consult his safety in flight, yet soon afterwards he appeared in arms at the head of a formidable force, defeated Mahmood, and placed himself on the Musnud, which he held undisputed, till Mahmood, seizing the opportunity, when he was entangled in the war of Cashmire, again invaded Candahar. The invader had opened a communication with the rebellious chief of Cashmire, to whom he promised the sovereignty of that province, and both acted in concert. The chief of Cashmire was soon defeated in several actions, and his followers dispersed and driven out of the province. The army of Cabul having pursued these fugitives within four miles of Mozufferabad, a city on the road to Attock, midway between Cashmire and the Indus, there discontinued the pursuit, and' began its march back to the frontier of Cabul. But Mahmood had very different success from his rebellious coadjutor. He advanced to the city of Cabul, where he obtained possession of the Balahissor, a castle of some strength, where the younger princes of the royal blood are generaily sequestered for the security of the reigning prince.

Goolistan Khan, the representative of Soojah-ul-Mulk, fled to the mountains on Mahmood's approach: other accounts, however, allege, that he took the more generous resolution of throwing himself into the principal fort, within which the royal palace stands, defending it to the last extre mitv.

In this situation, with reduced forces and an exhausted treasury, deserted by most of those who could give him effectual support, and unable to derive any efficient aid from those who remained faithful, Soojah-ul-Mulk had only the lamentable alternative of abandoning his kingdom without a contest, or contending with a force on his side so disproportionate that success must be hopeless. He chose, however, to try the fortune of arms, and having been defeated in every instance he was under the necessity of once more seeking his personal safety in concealment.

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