circumstances, or such at least as might enable them to form an equitable judgment on the cases of Colonel Capper and Major Boles: all these considerations operated strongly, and their influence produced a calm which only felt temporary interruption from the occasional acts which Sir G. Barlow exercised towards those individuals, whose principles, or firmness, had rendered them obnoxious to him, or his minions. At the Presidency, it is true, the alarm was without intermission. The number of spies, who were interspersed through all ranks of society, most effectually extirpated general confidence, and introduced a suspicious coldness that was much increased by the presence of persons whose conduct and character had hitherto kept them at a distance, but who, availing themselves of the encouragement given to the qualities which they respectively possessed, now found their way into every circle, and effectually contaminated the current of social intercourse, by the suspicion with which each looked upon his neighbour. All this tended to increase that sullen gloom which arose from contemplating the unprecedented daily acts that have rendered this period an epoch in the annals of British India,

Yet, while those feelings prevailed at Madras, the societies at out-stations enjoyed a comparative degree of tranquillity; for, although they were perpetually disturbed by accounts of the transactions of the Presidency, still they experienced that sort of satisfaction and comfort which arises from mutual confidence and good understanding. The most strict obedience and attention were still paid to every part of public duty, notwithstanding the freedom with which all thought, and spoke, of certain characters in high situations. Indeed, subordination and good conduct prevailed so much, that Sir G. Barlow, and his advisers, affected still to consider the great body of the officers as indifferent, or in some sort reconciled to his measures; and, relying upon the proverbial submissiveness and discipline which had ever distinguished the Coast army, he resolved on a fatal measure, which struck at every principle of feeling and pride, which attached the officers to their profession. There is reason to suppose, that Sir G. Barlow might still have avoided the destructive course he took, had he not been betrayed by false misrepresentations, and driven blindfold into the snare, by the creatures in whose power he

actually was, without being aware of it. They could not entertain the hope of retaining their ill-deserved stations, if matters remained quiet, or if those individuals who felt an interest about their profession, and whose judgment could not be bought off, were allowed to represent their situation in any way.

Such appear to have been the motives and the means by which Sir G. Barlow was led to adopt an act, most injudicious, impolitic, and rash. This was the suspension of four officers from the service-the removal of two from important commands-and that of two others from staff situations-as announced in the general order, under date the 1st of May, to which unfortunate production is to be ascribed every singular proceeding which has since taken place in the army, as well as those which are still to be apprehended, unless some fortunate occurrence intervene to produce a change in the system.

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No description would be adequate to convey an idea of the agitation which the receipt of this general order produced at all the army stations. From its melancholy effects, however, it will be easy to judge;

but, previous to mentioning them, it will be proper to advert to the particular passages of the order itself.

The order commences with a studied eulogium on the long-established zeal and discipline of the Madras army, of which the Governor seems to have formed an idea rather hyperbolical; for it is stated, that they induced an expectation that the suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles, would be received with respect and obedience, The natural infirmity of mankind renders it impossible that the persons selected to fill the various departments of Government should be perfect: it therefore becomes necessary to the maintenance of order, and it is a maxim in the constitution of civilized nations, that obedience shall, in the first instance, be paid to all orders proceeding from the authorities regularly constituted, although those orders may in themselves be unjust. But neither law nor reason can pretend to exact from men, possessing any idea of civil liberty, respect towards acts of positive injustice. Such doctrine is calcu lated only for the nations of India, amongst whom respect consists in gesticulation and outward forms; and with whom it may

possibly be proper to enforce various laws, that Englishmen could not understand, and certainly would not conform to,

The general order proceeds to notice, that proceedings of an unjustifiable nature had taken place subsequent to the departure of General Macdowall; and to state, that the most reprehensible of those proceedings was, the preparation of remonstrances to the Governor General, on the subject of the late proceedings at Madras; in the preparation and circulation of which paper Captain Marshall and Lieutenant Colonel Martin are stated to have been principally concerned.— Lieutenant Colonel Sentleger and Major de Morgan are said to have been active in the circulation of it.

The general order then notices the address to Major Boles (which has already been mentioned); and this address is said to have been forced on the attention of the Governor by Captain James Grant. The circulation of this paper, at the Mount, is said to have been promoted by Lieutenant Robert Bell, of Artillery; and Lieutenant Colonels Chalmers and Cuppage, are mentioned as having taken no steps to repress, or to report, the proceedings pursued by