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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Observations on the Disturbances in the Madras Army in 1809 - -Author: John Malcolm - -Release Date: August 6, 2016 [EBook #52739] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MADRAS ARMY IN 1809 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<h2>Table of Contents</h2> -<blockquote> -<p> -<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE.</a><br /> -<a href="#PART_I">PART I. OBSERVATIONS, &c.</a><br /> -<a href="#POSTSCRIPT">POSTSCRIPT.</a><br /> -<a href="#PART_II">PART II. A NARRATIVE, &c.</a><br /> -<a href="#APPENDIXII">APPENDIX (PART II).</a><br /> -<a href="#Statement_of_Lieutenant-Colonel_Innes"><span class="smcap">Statement</span> <i>of Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span>.</a><br /> -<a href="#APPENDIXS">APPENDIX to Statement</a><br /> -<a href="#Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes</a><br /> -</p> -</blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>OBSERVATIONS<br /> -<small>ON</small><br /> -THE DISTURBANCES<br /> -<small>IN</small><br /> -THE MADRAS ARMY<br /> -<small>IN 1809.</small> -</h1> - -<p class="center space-above"><i>IN TWO PARTS.</i></p> - -<p class="center space-above"><span class="smcap">By JOHN MALCOLM</span>,</p> - -<p class="center space-above"><small>LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S<br /> -MADRAS ARMY, RESIDENT AT MYSORE, AND LATE<br /> -ENVOY TO THE COURT OF PERSIA.</small></p> - -<p class="center space-above">LONDON:</p> - -<p class="center space-above"><small>PRINTED FOR WILLIAM MILLER, ALBEMARLE STREET;<br /> -AND JOHN MURRAY, FLEET STREET.</small></p> - -<p class="center space-above">1812.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><small> -J. MOYES, PRINTER,<br /> -Greville Street</small> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</a></h2> - - -<p>I have hitherto abstained from controversy regarding the -late unhappy proceedings at Madras. The part which I -had taken in these proceedings had placed me in possession -of much information, and I had given a shape to my sentiments -upon the subject; but the knowledge of these was -limited to a few intimate friends, and to them only under -the strictest injunctions of secrecy. I have been applied -to more than once for papers and information upon this -subject, but have invariably refused; as I deemed it improper -to give publicity in any mode to communications, -whether verbal or in writing, which had been, at the -moment at which they were made, considered as private, -or confidential. Nothing could have led me to a departure -from this principle but a perusal of the dispatch under -date the 10th of September, 1809, from the Government -of Fort St. George to the Secret Committee of the Court of -Directors, printed by order of the House of Commons. -That dispatch contains an implied censure upon my conduct, -which nothing but a conviction of its justice could -induce me to pass over in silence.</p> - -<p>Injustice is aggravated by the power of the individual -or body by whom it is committed, and by the want of -ability or opportunity in the person who suffers to repel -the attack. Had not this dispatch been printed by order<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span> -of the House of Commons, my character would have -secretly received a deep and incurable wound: for as it is -not likely the Honourable the Court of Directors could -have ever thought it possible that so deliberate and grave -an authority as the Government of Fort St. George, could -(without adequate grounds) have pronounced censure on -the character of an officer who stood at the moment as high -in rank and trust as the local Government of India had -power to raise him<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>, it becomes probable, that most of -those who read this dispatch would be satisfied, without a -minute examination of the documents by which it was -accompanied: and if any readers went into this detail, -and were struck with the remarkable difference between -the apparent premises and the conclusions drawn from -them, it is more likely they would conclude, that grounds, -not yet brought before them, existed, which would warrant -the assertions made by Government, than that they should -ever suppose the latter had committed such an injustice -towards any individual in their service.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> -<p>I cannot, on this occasion, limit myself to an account of -my mission to Masulipatam, which is that part of my conduct -to which the Government of Fort St. George exclusively -refers: justice to my own character demands -that I should give a narrative (accompanied by an Appendix -of original documents), which will show, in a clear -and concise manner, the part I took, and the advice I -gave, throughout the whole of those unhappy and guilty -proceedings which have lately afflicted our country in -India. To render this narrative intelligible to all, I shall -prefix a general view of the principal acts of the Government -of Fort St. George, from the commencement to the -termination of the late violent agitations on the coast. My -object in this publication is to vindicate myself, not to -attack others. A plain statement of indisputable facts will -show, that though my judgment might on some occasions -have been wrong, I was invariably actuated by an indefatigable -zeal, and an undeviating principle of public -duty; that I predicted at the commencement, and at different -stages of the proceeding, every event of importance -that occurred; that if any one of the many slighted suggestions -which I offered had met with attention, the most -serious evils would have been averted; and that my efforts -were such as ought to have entitled me to the praise and -gratitude of those by whom I now find my conduct misrepresented -and my character calumniated.</p> - -<p>Sir George Barlow has, I observe, from the volume of -papers printed by order of the House of Commons, placed -upon record a number of my private and confidential -communications. This I did not anticipate; and these -letters were written in a less guarded style, and with more -warmth, than they would have been, if I had foreseen -the public use to be made of them. I do not, however, -conceive that I have any right to complain of this act: the -letters contain not one sentiment of which I am ashamed: -they were all on public subjects: and that alone, when -they were addressed to Sir George Barlow or his Secretary, -rendered them public. But I must claim to myself an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> -equal privilege in bringing forward such private documents -as are necessary to prove what I have stated, and to defend -myself from those imputations which have been thrown -upon my character from a partial, and, I trust I shall prove, -a most unfair statement of my conduct when employed at -Masulipatam.</p> - -<p>I should feel unworthy of that station which I hope I -hold in life, if any motive upon earth had such power over -my mind as to make me silent under reflections (which I -deemed unjust) upon my conduct: and where those have -been, from any cause, (however unforeseen,) brought before -the public, my reply must of course be submitted to the -same tribunal. This is a circumstance which I by no -means regret. Publications in England on the affairs of -India have been rare, except on some extraordinary -epochs, when attention has been forcibly drawn to that -quarter; and a groundless alarm has been spread of the -mischiefs which (many conceive) must arise from such -free disclosure, and consequent full discussion, of the acts -of the Indian Governments. This practice, in my opinion, -will have a direct contrary effect. It must always do great -and essential good. The nature of our possessions in India -makes it necessary that almost absolute power should be -given to those entrusted with governments in that quarter; -and there cannot be a better or more efficient check over -these rulers than that which must be established by the -full publicity given to their acts, and the frequent discussion -of all their principles of rule. Such a practice will -expose imprudence and weakness, however defended by -the adherence of powerful friends in England: and it will -be more certain to prevent oppression, or injustice, than -the general provisions of law, which may be evaded; or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> -the check of superiors, who may, from conceiving the -cause of an individual identified with that of authority -itself, feel themselves condemned to support proceedings -which they cannot approve. This practice, in short, -(restrained, as it always must be, by the laws of our -country within moderate bounds,) must have the most -salutary effects. Its inconveniences are obvious, but -trifling when compared to the great and permanent benefits -which it must produce: and I am confident that every -effort made to repress such discussion is not merely a -sacrifice to personal feeling, and to momentary expedience, -of one of the best and most operative principles of the -British Constitution; but a direct approximation to the -principles of that oriental tyranny, which it is, or ought -to be, our chief boast to have destroyed.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> I was, at the moment this letter was written, at Madras, preparing -to proceed on a mission to Persia: not a word even of dissatisfaction at -my conduct was expressed—no explanation of any of my acts required; -and, consequently, no opportunity afforded of defending myself against -the serious charges that were thus secretly transmitted to England. The -letter to the Secret Committee is dated the 10th September, 1809, the -day before that on which Lord Minto arrived at Madras.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - - -<h2><a name="PART_I" id="PART_I">PART I.</a></h2> - -<p class="center"> -OBSERVATIONS<br /> -<small>ON</small><br /> -THE CAUSES AND PROGRESS<br /> -<small>OF THE</small><br /> -<i>DISTURBANCES IN THE MADRAS ARMY</i><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - -<h2>OBSERVATIONS, &c.</h2> - -<p>Some agitation, though of a trifling nature, had prevailed -among the Company's officers on the coast establishment -from a period as far back as the publication of the Regulations -of the year 1796, which they conceived to entitle -them to a complete equalization of allowances with the -officers of the Bengal establishment. These feelings had -little time for operation in the course of that active and -brilliant service in which the Madras army was employed -during the administration of Lord Wellesley. The -increase of establishment rendered necessary to preserve -the great accession of territory acquired by that nobleman, -occasioned a promotion, that, for a period, silenced their -discontent; but that spirit was revived in the year 1805 -and 1806, when, in addition to their former grievance, they -conceived that there was an evident and injurious partiality -shown towards his Majesty's officers, who were said to be -promoted to commands and staff situations to the injury of -the officers of the Company's service. Addresses to -Government and to the Court of Directors were at this -period agitated and in circulation; but none, to my knowledge, -were brought forward; owing, perhaps, to the -orders from the Honourable the Court of Directors, who, -it would appear, had, on private representation, adopted -some measures to redress those grievances of which the -army at that moment complained. This spirit of discontent -might have died of itself; or, at all events, it would -have been more easily repressed, had not the flame of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -discord burst out in a higher quarter. The quarrel which -occurred between the Governor, Sir George Barlow, and -the Commander-in-Chief, General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall, may, no -doubt, (as it led to those measures which Government -adopted towards the general staff of the coast army,) -be deemed the remote source of all the violent and indefensible -acts of the army, and in that view merits a short -notice. The mind of General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall was much -irritated at his not being appointed to council; and he -gave way, in consequence, to a language of complaint -and discontent, of which, it must be concluded, he could -never have calculated the effect. Every act of Government -that affected the wishes or interests of either an -individual or a class of officers naturally caused complaints, -which the Commander-in-Chief certainly did not discourage. -He must have thought that the influence and -importance of a seat in council would have enabled him -more easily to have satisfied or silenced their murmurs; -and he cannot be supposed to have felt much sorrow that -Government should have experienced the inconvenience -of an exclusion which he considered as so great a personal -grievance: and when his mind was further irritated by -what he deemed to be slight and neglect, on the part of -Sir George Barlow, of his rights in his military character -of Commander-in-Chief, these feelings had probably a -wider action. In the temper which I have shown the -coast army was in at this moment, it is not surprising, -when they saw such an example of discontent, and felt -unrepressed by that high authority which was immediately -over them, that they should have been more bold, -and that their violence should have taken a more formidable -shape towards Government, against which this spirit -was, by the proceeding of the Commander-in-Chief, very -unadvisedly and inconsiderately, however unintentionally, -directed. But if a want of reflection on one part (few will -accuse General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall of more than want of reflection) -led to such consequences, can we say there was much more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> -wisdom on the other, which, if it did not provoke, never -made one attempt to prevent, the occurrence of those evils -with which it was threatened? A cold, even, mechanic -course of action, which gave great attention to the ordinary -rules of public business dignified with the name of public -principles, but none to human nature, was opposed at this -period to the proceedings of the Commander-in-Chief and -the army; and had the effect, which was to be expected, -of accelerating that crisis which it was so important to -avoid.</p> - -<p>It may be here necessary to explain what was meant by -the term public principle. It was constantly used at -Madras (with some deviation, I conceive, from its highest -and most dignified sense) to denote the rules of public -business founded either in precedent or in written law, -and certainly well adapted for order and convenience in -the common course of affairs. But if such rules were -sufficient, no talents would be necessary to govern mankind. -A copying clerk, or even the regulation-book -which he copies, might rule a state. Success in this -endeavour (the object of which is to render the task of -Government simple and easy) will be always agreeable to -the character of the Government. The more despotic that -is, the more easily may we preserve inviolate such rules -or principles. For though great commotions will occur -in the most despotic states, and force their rulers to an -occasional deviation from such principles, these deviations -will be unfrequent to what must arise in more free and -liberal governments, in which that constant attention which -it is necessary to pay to men's tempers, and to those pretensions -and rights upon which such an order of things is -grounded, must produce a much more frequent departure -from the exact letter (and sometimes from the spirit) of -those unbending rules. It is this fact which renders the -task of government so much more difficult in those states -than in any others. Any man (who has obsequious slaves -to govern) can, if he has memory to recollect the principles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -of rule, be a despot, or a despot's deputy; but far -different qualities are required where the minds of those -under authority are of a freer and bolder stamp: over -such a society those alone are fit to rule, who, fully informed -of all its component parts, can judge the periods -when the temporary departure from an established principle -will effect more in the cause of authority than its -rigid observance; when lenity is more powerful than -severity, and mildness and moderation tend more to restore -order and to maintain tranquillity, than all the force of a -violent government.</p> - -<p>The intelligent reader will perceive, that, in contrasting -free and despotic governments, I refer exclusively to rules -of administration. Laws are, no doubt, more inflexible in -free states than in others. But even respecting laws -it may be observed, that the general principle prevails: -for the legislative power in free states shows a disposition -to repeal or modify laws in reference to the interests, the -opinions, sometimes even to the prejudices, of great -bodies of the people; while the despot has no maxim, -but that all must be subject to the authority of Government. -There is, no doubt, a great distinction in every -community between civil and military bodies: the laws -for the government of the latter are, of course, more -arbitrary and unbending; but, even in these bodies there -is a <i>national character</i> that will compel attention. The -same principles cannot be applied to an English as a -Russian army: and it is when such bodies are in an -agitated and convulsed state, that these characteristic -distinctions are most prominent and discernible. It is on -such emergencies that a statesman will succeed in averting -a danger, which will only be increased by every -measure of the mere rote follower of public rules. Cicero<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> -has observed, that "it appears to be the dictate of sound -policy, to act in accommodation to particular conjunctures,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -and not obstinately persevere in one invariable -scheme, when the public circumstances, together with -the sentiments of the best and wisest members of the -community, are evidently changed. In conformity to -this notion, the most judicious reasoners on the art of -government have universally condemned an inflexible -perseverance in one uniform tenor of measures. The -skill of the pilot is shown in weathering the storm at -least, though he should not gain his port." Public -merit (agreeable to the extended view of that great orator -and statesman, as expressed afterwards) consists in "having -been inflexible in our intentions for the public welfare, -and not by a positive perseverance in certain favourite -modes of obtaining it."</p> - -<p>It will be unnecessary to trace the petty differences -which took place between the Commander-in-Chief and -the Governor: the general character and evil effect of -these differences have been described. The first act which -led to serious discussions, was the former placing the -Quarter-Master-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Munro, in -arrest. The nature of this case is well known: and few, -I imagine, can doubt that Government had <i>a right</i> to -command his release: but it will remain a question with -many, how far a knowledge of the character and actual -temper of the Commander-in-Chief, the state of the army, -and other circumstances, would have warranted Government -in forbearing to use <i>this right</i>. It is nonsense to say, -that it would, by so forbearing and moderate a proceeding, -have abandoned an officer entitled to protection. This -language, if it means any thing, implies that Government -did not conceive there were at that moment thirteen -officers, either in the King's or Company's service, on the -coast, upon whose honesty and honour it could rely. -This is a proposition which appears too extravagant for -notice: but, even if this point be conceded, will it be said, -if Colonel Munro had suffered an additional injustice by -the sentence of a violent and partial court martial, that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -Government was, in that extreme case, deprived of the -right to protect that officer? On the contrary, would not -the necessity for the exercise of that right have been, -under such an event, much more apparent and unobjectionable. -It may be asked, if any circumstances could -justify Government in so pusillanimous a conduct, as that -of forbearing to exercise an admitted right, and of allowing -a court martial to judge upon a public act which it -had recognised and approved? It is to be replied, that -such conduct might, on many occasions, be the result of -prudence and of fortitude. It is weakness, not firmness, -that takes an early alarm at danger, and by showing a -want of confidence in all the subordinate aids of its power, -creates, by its suspicion, that defection which it apprehends. -In the recent case of Sir Francis Burdett, the -House of Commons did not abandon its exclusive right, -but it forbore the exercise of that right, and, with a confidence -and wisdom worthy of so enlightened and august an -assembly, allowed a question, which involved its rights -and authority, to be discussed in a court of law. There -can, I should conceive, be no doubt whatever, that had -Colonel Munro been tried on the charges preferred against -him, he would have been honourably acquitted; and the -influence and reputation of his accusers would have been -in no slight degree lessened: an object which, in itself, -was of consequence at that period to Government.</p> - -<p>It is a remarkable fact, that the officers who had signed -the charges against Colonel Munro, were, on reflection, -and from learning the sentiments of the Judge-Advocate-General, -so convinced that the charges they had made -were either groundless or illegal, that they wrote to the -Commander-in-Chief to suspend the prosecution of them. -This certainly proves (if any proof was wanting) that there -could have been no doubt of the result of a court martial, -grounded on the state of general feelings, as far as that -regarded the charges against Lieutenant-Colonel Munro; -for if the accusers themselves had shown they distrusted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -the cause they had so rashly adopted, there could, -assuredly, be no apprehension of the judgment of thirteen -officers of rank (all of whom, if it had been thought necessary, -might have been chosen from his Majesty's service) -giving a biassed or unjust sentence. The Government of -Madras, in their dispatch to the Court of Directors upon -this subject, draw a directly opposite conclusion from this -fact, which, they say, "proves in itself the inexpediency -of their having had recourse to such a proceeding;" -but they state no grounds for this conclusion. In the -whole course of this affair they appear to have been -much, if not solely, guided by the opinion of their law -officers: and no man can peruse the letter of Lieutenant-Colonel -Leith upon this subject, without a just respect for -the talents and extensive legal knowledge of that public -officer. But those that think great, numerous, and obvious -evils resulted from the decision of Government on the case -of Lieutenant-Colonel Munro, will not immediately perceive -the necessity of its having been governed by rules of -law in its decision on a question which clearly involved -the most serious considerations of state policy. They will -think, and with justice, this was a question not for lawyers, -but statesmen; who, in the exercise of their legitimate -discretion, are in the situation in which Mr. Burke has -so well described legislators; and therefore, like them, -"ought to do what lawyers cannot, for they have no -rules to bind them but the great principles of reason -and equity and the general sense of mankind; these -they are bound to obey and follow: and rather to -enlarge and enlighten law by the liberality of legislative -reason, than to fetter and bind their high capacity by -the narrow constructions of subordinate artificial justice."</p> - -<p>Several months previous to General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall's departure -for England, that officer had been called upon by the -Governor to repress a Memorial to the Governor General, -on the subject of late reductions, which was stated to be in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -agitation at the principal stations of the army. General -M<sup>c</sup>Dowall had written circular letters to forbid such proceedings; -and nothing further appeared upon this subject -till that officer, on the 23d of January 1809, forwarded -and strongly recommended to notice a Memorial to the -Honourable the Court of Directors signed by a number of -the officers of the army, and containing, in moderate and -not disrespectful language, a statement of what they -deemed their grievances, which chiefly referred to the -equalization of their allowances with the Bengal establishment, -the hardship of the several reductions of emolument -which they had lately sustained, and the partiality in appointment -to commands which they conceived was still -shown to his Majesty's officers. General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall forwarded, -at the same time, another Memorial, which was -also addressed to the Court of Directors, and signed by a -number of officers commanding native corps, regarding the -injury they conceived they had sustained by the abolition -of the tent contract. The principle of both these Memorials -was strongly condemned by the Government. The -former, they informed the Commander-in-Chief, would -be sent to the Governor General in Council; and the latter -was returned, as relating to a subject which had already -been decided.</p> - -<p>There were many circumstances connected with these -addresses, which confirm the truth of those sentiments I -before expressed regarding the feelings by which General -M<sup>c</sup>Dowall allowed himself to be governed at this moment: -but the state of his mind, and the operation that was likely -to have upon the officers of the army, was a subject that -merited the serious consideration of Government; which, -unless satisfied that there was no danger from the progress -of such a spirit of discontent as then existed, should either -have adopted <i>at that moment</i> some decided measures to -repress that evil, or have carefully avoided every act of -aggravation. If both of these Memorials had been merely -permitted to go as numbers of the dispatch to England,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -those by whom they were signed would have thought -nothing more of their grievances till an answer was -received from the Directors: and that, if contrary to -their wishes, would have been deemed final, and the -Directors would assuredly not have censured Government -for a slight departure from established rules at a -period when, from extraordinary events, of a nature never -likely to happen again, the army was not only in a state -of great agitation, but the civil power had lost the aid of -that high military authority on which it would in common -times have relied to subdue so dangerous a spirit. Few -will contend that there would have been any loss of either -dignity or of strength in such a proceeding: and how completely, -had it been adopted, would the turbulent and seditious -be deprived of one of their chief means of increasing -irritation<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>. But this question appears to have been decided, -like every other, upon an abstract consideration of its own -merits as a single and insulated question; and in that light -the decision was <i>undoubtedly right</i>: but if it had been -viewed, as it certainly should, in its relation to the actual -state of the army, <i>it was as certainly wrong</i>. It had an -evident and malignant action throughout all the troubles -that ensued. And this absolute, and, as they deemed it, -unnecessary and ungracious refusal to allow their grievances -to be even heard by the Court of Directors, combined with -the punishment<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> with which it was accompanied, rankled -to the last in the minds of the discontented, and indeed -appeared to be one of the few subjects, on the hardship -and injustice of which the most moderate of those concerned -agreed with the most violent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next event of consequence, was the publication of a -general order, under date the 28th January, by the Commander-in-Chief, -censuring Lieutenant-Colonel Munro for -his appeal to the civil Government against his decision; -an act which General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall deemed destructive of -subordination, subversive of discipline, and a violation of -(what he termed) the sacred rights of the Commander-in-Chief. -There can, I should conceive, be little doubt -regarding the character of this order. It is certainly -indefensible. It in substance arraigned the exercise of an -act of authority, the legality of which General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall -had recognised by his obedience a few days before, and -in this view was highly disrespectful to Government, who -were justly incensed at the proceedings; and who, in -an order under date the 31st of January, removed General -M<sup>c</sup>Dowall from the command of the army, which it -appeared he had not then resigned, though on his way to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -Ceylon for the purpose of proceeding to England. The -links that bound the cause of General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall to that of -the officers of the Company's army on the coast, were neither -strong nor durable: a common feeling of discontent -against Government had united them for a moment, but -there was no cohesion either from similar objects or interests; -and the Government order, as far as related to -General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall, could have given rise to no serious -consequences: but the suspension from the service, in the -same order, of Major Boles, the Deputy-Adjutant-General, -on the ground of his having given currency to the obnoxious -order of the Commander-in-Chief, had an immediate -and electric effect over the whole army. There was -hardly an officer in either the King's or Company's service -that did not doubt the justice of this measure, or that did -not feel that it inflicted a vital wound on the first principles -of military discipline; and the universal clamour and -indignation that it excited, was no doubt the proximate -and direct cause of the rebellion that ensued.</p> - -<p>The merits of this unhappy act of power have been fully -investigated in England; and the general opinion seems -decidedly against the Government of Fort St. George. -The wisdom and expediency of the act is defended by -none; and some of the first law authorities<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> in England -doubt its justice. The subject has been completely exhausted; -and I shall say no more upon it, than that there, -perhaps, never was so complete a want of knowledge displayed -of the character of military feeling, as in the attempt -made to prevail upon Major Boles to degrade himself in his -own profession, by making an apology for having performed -what he deemed his duty, and what he could not -have expressed regret for having done, without an admission -of guilt. The urgency with which this apology was -sought, is of itself a proof that the Government had been -precipitate. How much more manly, wise, and dignified,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -would it have been to have rescinded the resolution -which had been taken, on the plain ground of a conviction -that Major Boles had erred from want of knowledge, and -without intention of offence; and such must have been the -actual sentiments which were entertained of his conduct, -or Government could never have professed itself ready to -accept a slight apology. But a little stickling spirit about -supposed dignity, more worthy of a wrong-headed individual -engaged in an affair of honour, than a great Government, -prevented this obvious measure, and produced -irremediable mischief to the state.</p> - -<p>On the 1st of February, the day subsequent to that on -which Major Boles was suspended, an order was issued, -suspending the Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel -Capper, for the same offence, that of being concerned -in circulating the offensive order of the Commander-in-Chief. -The only difference in the facts of this case from -that of Major Boles, (they were alike in principle), was, -that Colonel Capper, the moment he heard of Major Boles's -suspension, made a declaration, that the circumstance of -his being with General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall was the sole cause that -had led to Major Boles's name being affixed to orders -which it was his (the Adjutant-General's) duty to sign; -and that he considered all responsibility connected with -the office of Adjutant-General rested solely with him, as -principal. The generous object of this gallant and meritorious -officer (who was lost on his passage to England), -was to exculpate his deputy. He did not, however, succeed -in that object; and his free avowal of the principal -share he had in the circulation of the order was instantly -taken as the ground for inflicting a similar punishment on -him.</p> - -<p>From the hour that these measures were adopted, the -state of the army underwent a complete revolution. The -most discontented had, till this period, been cautious in -their measures, and aimed at no more than obtaining some -attention to what they deemed their grievances. There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -no doubt, that before these orders were issued a very general -spirit of dissatisfaction prevailed; but there was no -danger of that taking any mutinous or rebellious shape. -Many, and among these some of the most respectable officers -in the army, had up to this date taken no concern in -those proceedings that had offended Government: but the -suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles (particularly -the latter, who, it was perfectly known, had no share -in the councils of the Commander-in-Chief, and whose act -of signing and issuing the obnoxious order was therefore -exclusively ministerial,) effected a complete and dangerous -change in the general temper. All seemed to be actuated by -the same resentment at measures which they deemed arbitrary -and unjust; and many officers of the highest rank and -first respectability, both in his Majesty's and the Honourable -Company's service, joined in reprobating the principle -upon which it was adopted. The subsequent efforts made to -prevail upon Major Boles to sign an apology, and the letter -circulated by the commanding officer of the forces, General -Gowdie, which condemned that officer for not having acceded -to this proposition, had the double effect of increasing -the indignation at Government and the popularity of -Major Boles, who was, after this act, deemed an honourable -martyr in a cause which it was the duty of every military -officer to support. Before the more moderate, and with -them all those officers of his Majesty's service who had -given way to their first feelings, had recovered from their -error, numbers of the more violent in the Company's service -were irretrievably pledged to violent and guilty proceedings, -into which there is no doubt they were deluded by -the force of example, and the assurance that the cause in -which they were engaged was general. The first of their -acts which attracted the notice of Government, was the -agitation and preparation of an address to the Governor -General, remonstrating against the acts of the Government -of Fort St. George, and soliciting the removal of Sir George -Barlow; and an address, or letter, to Major Boles, conveying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -to that officer a contribution for his support during -what the addressers deemed his unjust suspension. The -Government, in an order dated the 1st of May, 1809, suspended -Captain J. Marshall and Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, -on the ground of their being principally concerned in -preparing the Memorial<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> (or, as it is termed in this order, -"seditious paper,") addressed to the Governor General; -and the same punishment was inflicted upon Lieutenant-Colonel -the Honourable Arthur St. Leger, on the ground -of his having promoted the circulation of the Memorial in -the corps under his command. Major J. de Morgan was -suspended for nearly similar reasons. Captain James -Grant, commanding the body-guard of the Governor, (but -then absent on service in Travancore,) had signed the -address to Major Boles; and, from a feeling congenial with -his candid and gallant character, he deemed concealment -of this act dishonourable, nor could he reconcile to his -mind the propriety of continuing to hold his appointment -with the line he had pursued. He wrote, therefore, a -private letter to Major Barclay, (Military Secretary to the -Governor,) stating the reasons that had led him to resign -the command of the body-guard, and desiring that Sir -George Barlow might be informed of his motives; and he -enclosed (that the information of the Governor regarding -the actual state of the feeling of the army might be complete,) -a copy of the letter to Major Boles. He was suspended -on the ground of having signed the address to -Major Boles; which document, it was stated in the order, -he had forced on the attention of the Governor in Council. -Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Bell, the commanding officer -of the artillery, was removed from all military charge and -command, on the ground (as was stated in the orders,) of -his having promoted the circulation of a paper similar in -substance (to that address) among the officers under his -command. Lieutenant-Colonel Chalmers was removed -from his immediate command, on the charge of not having -reported to Government, or exerted himself to repress, the -exceptionable proceedings of the officers under his orders: -and Lieutenant-Colonel Cuppage was removed, on the -same ground, from the staff situation of Adjutant-General, -to which (though he then held a station of command in -Malabar,) he had been appointed: while Captain Coombes -was deprived of his staff office of Assistant-Quarter-Master-General -in Mysore, on the general grounds of being concerned -in these reprehensible proceedings. This order -concluded by a panegyric upon the discipline and fidelity -which the troops in his Majesty's service had invariably -shown, and by a compliment to all those of the Company's -service who had not taken a share in these reprehensible -proceedings, but particularly the subsidiary force at Hyderabad, -the conduct of which was stated to have been -most satisfactory and exemplary.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> -<p>Though the right of suspending officers from the service -till the pleasure of the Court of Directors was known, is one -that has been very properly vested in the local Governments -of India, they possess no power which should be -exercised with such extreme caution. It never can be -wisely exercised in any cases but those of most clearly -established guilt, where trial would either endanger the -authority of Government, or expose its dignity to the -highest insult and degradation; which is indeed one, and -perhaps the most effectual, mode of endangering its existence. -Every officer is conscious, when he enters the -public service, that he subjects himself to military law, -but not to arbitrary power. There are, however, (as has -been shown), extreme cases, which create exceptions that -interfere with his right to this jurisdiction: but when the -ruling power is compelled to act contrary to usage, it is -bound, in all such cases, to establish the necessity of its so -acting, by an exposure both of the nature of the crime and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -of the proof of its having been committed<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>. The King of -England may, no doubt, strike any officer's name out of -his army without assigning any reason; but his adviser -would incur serious responsibility; and an inferior authority -exercising this great power should be still more cautious, -lest the very purpose for which it was granted be -perverted, by the destruction of that general confidence in -the justice of their rule, upon which the power of departure -(when the safety of the state absolutely requires it) -from ordinary forms of law is grounded. No sense of expedience, -or desire to strike terror, (by the mere display of -arbitrary power,) can warrant the slightest deviation from -principles so essential to preserve the temper and order of -a military body under this alarming though legal departure -from its usual rights and privileges.</p> - -<p>It was a remarkable fact, relative to the orders issued on -that date, that (unless in the case of Captain Grant, who -had come forward to accuse himself<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> of the act for which -he was punished) no proof of the guilt of any of the others -was brought forward. They were, indeed, almost all suspended, -removed, and disgraced, on the grounds of private -information; which, supposing it true, could not, -from its nature, and the resentment to which it would expose -individuals, be publicly stated. The consequence -was, that many of the individuals who had been thus condemned -and punished without a hearing, loudly declared -their innocence, and brought strong presumptive evidence -to support their assertion. They were generally believed; -and a sense of their particular wrongs, added to the alarm -caused by the sweeping use which Government had on -this occasion made of its right of suspending officers without -trial, greatly aggravated the discontented, who felt an -almost maddening motive to action in the immediate contemplation -of the ruin and disgrace which threatened some -of the most honourable and distinguished of those that had -taken any share in their proceedings.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p>The obvious and acknowledged source of the crimes -which Government had at this moment to punish, was its -own act—the recent suspension of Lieutenant-Colonel Capper -and Major Boles; and it ought to have been evident, -that the orders of the 1st of May would aggravate, in the -highest degree, the general agitation which that measure -had produced; and almost every paragraph of this order -would appear as if intended for that object. The thanks -given in it to his Majesty's troops were no doubt merited, -but invidious; and, being so, could never have been desired -by that body; many of whom, though they had been -led (by the operation of the principles of the distinct constitution -of the army to which they belonged,) to renounce -every share in the proceedings of the discontented officers -in the Company's service, still participated in their feelings: -but the useless irritation of this part of the order -appears a trifling error when compared to that eulogium -which it so unfortunately bestowed on the Hyderabad -force, whose officers, however much circumstances might -have prevented their coming forward, could not possibly, -as a body, have a separate interest from the rest of that -army to whom they were on this occasion held forth as a -corps on whose fidelity Government had peculiar confidence. -The operation of such praise was inevitable: the -Company's officers at Hyderabad were not only exposed to -the reproach of inaction in what were deemed objects of -common interest, but to the accusation of being in part the -cause of the ruin of some of the most popular officers of the -army: for the discontented argued, that if Government -had not thought it could rely on their support, it never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -would have had recourse to so bold and arbitrary a course -of measures. Correct information regarding the temper of -this force would have satisfied Government that there was -no good ground for this eulogium; and the slightest reflection -on the common motives of human action would have -prevented its being made. The Company's officers at -Hyderabad treated the praise bestowed upon them with -scorn, disclaimed all right to it in an address to Government, -and, abandoning that moderation which had before -characterized their proceedings, they commenced with all -the zeal of converts in their new career. In their ardour to -make amends for the past, they took the lead in violence. -Their numbers and apparent unanimity inspired them with -fatal confidence: and this force, who were excited to action -by a weak and unwise attempt to divide them from the rest of -the army, became the most active promoters of sedition, -and gave an example of opposition to Government, in -which their repentance came too late to prevent the ruin -of many of those who were betrayed, by a reliance on -them, into the adoption of the same unjustifiable course.</p> - -<p>The general spirit of indignation which the orders of the -1st of May were calculated to excite, must have been foreseen; -but it was perhaps expected, that the terror struck -by so decided and vigorous a proceeding would repress the -effects of this spirit, and alarm even the most violent into -order and obedience. If such was the intention, the -measure was certainly inadequate to the end proposed. -When we bear in mind the inflamed state of the minds of -a great majority of the officers of the coast army, was it -reasonable to expect, that the suspension from the service, -and the removal from their commands, of a few of the -most popular (including some of the most moderate<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>) -officers in the service, would strike a panic in a body of -men so agitated? Was it not more likely that they would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -deem this a repetition of what they had before considered -injustice, and rush on the extreme of violence? It could -have no other effect; and therefore, if it had been resolved -to take no steps to conciliate or restore the temper of the -army, this was the period (before their combinations were -matured,) that a severe and wise Government would have -chosen to come to issue; and, had the danger been fully -met at this moment, those consequences which resulted -from the line pursued would, in all human probability, -have been avoided: but if the object of the Government -of Fort St. George had been the ruin of its own army, no -measures could have been more calculated to effect that -object than those pursued. The character of its acts till -the 1st of May has been fully shown. It would be as -tedious as useless to dwell upon the many trifling but irritating -measures to which it had recourse from that period -till the 26th of July. These measures were, if not oppressive, -all marked by a spirit of the most provoking suspicion, -and never contained one particle of that generous feeling of -noble confidence, which, by exalting the character of -authority, attaches those that are wavering, reclaims the -insubordinate to their duty, and, by giving a motive in -which they have a pride, recalls the most guilty to the -path of honour and virtue. A bare catalogue of a few of -the expedients to which the Government resorted will be -sufficient to show the nature of the whole. Some officers -were removed from the command of corps, and sent to distant -stations, without any reason being assigned; others -were insulted, by being ordered away from the Presidency -and other places at a few hours' warning, upon the ground -of private information regarding their conversation or -actions. Leave to visit the Presidency was refused to all -officers. An institution of cadets (boys) was dissolved, because -they had a quarrel with one of their comrades in -consequence of his going to Lady Barlow's ball. A corps -was removed to a distant and unpleasant (if not unhealthy) -station, because its officers refused to dine with the Governor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -But the conduct of the officers of the European -regiment at Masulipatam, in consequence of a dispute -about a toast at their mess-table, and the measures that -precipitated a mutiny in that garrison, (the particulars of -which will be stated in my narrative,) forms one of the -completest examples of the character of that system of -irritation pursued by the Government of Fort St. George, -during this short but important and eventful period. In -viewing this system, we ought not to take any single case, -but look at the whole; and we shall find it, as such, fully -adequate to the end which it effected, of making a brave -and meritorious though mistaken body of men rush upon -their own ruin; and of greatly weakening, if not destroying, -by its probable operation on the attachment and allegiance -of our native army, the most essential of all those -principles, on the preservation of which must depend the -future safety and existence of our empire in India.</p> - - -<p>The mutiny which an imprudent measure of Government -(the particulars of which will be hereafter stated) -brought on at Masulipatam, was one of the first acts of open -violence committed by the officers on the coast establishment. -As the Governor of Fort St. George thought it -might be quelled by means short of coercion, he directed -me to proceed to that garrison, in the hope that I should -recall the officers to their duty. But his other measures ill -accorded with the avowed principles of that conciliatory -and moderate proceeding. It had long been reported -throughout the army, that Government intended to make -such a distribution of the native corps as would place them -under the complete check of his majesty's regiments. The -alarm, and indeed despair, caused by this report, were -excessive and general. The numerous officers of the -Company's army who had become engaged in guilty -combinations, thought their destruction was certain, and -that union and resistance offered the only hope of safety. -It might not have been the intention of Government to -make such an impression; but is it not clear to the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -common understanding which reflects on what had passed, -and the actual state of feeling in the army, that this impression -must have been produced<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>? Was it not evident -that the mutiny at Masulipatam had been caused by the -mere rumour of this intention on the part of Government? -And could it be expected by the most weak, or infatuated, -that the actual execution of this plan would not produce -the same effect in a situation such as Hyderabad, where -the spirit of disaffection was more violent, and the power -of resistance as great, if not greater. It is hardly possible -to make any other conclusion, but that those who advised -this measure foresaw the result, and thought that such an -act of open disobedience would give the colour of unavoidable -necessity to the extreme measures<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> which they then -contemplated. It produced its natural effect—the order -for the march of the 2d battalion of the 10th regiment from -Hyderabad to Goa was disobeyed, and the Company's -officers at that station forced down a precipice of guilt, at -which, in spite of their violent language, they shuddered. -This act of open disobedience, accompanied by a violent -and seditious paper styled their <i>Ultimatum</i><a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>, which they -transmitted to the Governor, constituted the immediate -grounds upon which Government adopted the extreme -measure of the 26th of July, of calling upon all the -European officers of the native corps to sign a test of their -fidelity, and, on their refusal, of separating the officers -from their men.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p>Though a violent agitation certainly existed at this -time throughout almost all ranks of the officers of the -Company's army, this agitation had a variety of shades, -which it is of importance to consider. Many officers in -the Company's service had no share whatever in those -proceedings which had met with the disapprobation of -Government: but these, though they severely condemned -the conduct of the disaffected, and regretted their errors, -could not but be alive to the character and reputation of -the army to which they belonged; they were, of course, -anxious for measures that would retrieve the service from -that disgrace and ruin with which it was threatened: -and it was the natural wish of this class (who were stronger -in influence than numbers,) that Government should -endeavour to reclaim the discontented to their duty by -some act that mixed as much consideration and indulgence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -for the errors into which they had fallen, with a vigorous -exertion of its authority as it was possible to mix, without -a sacrifice of its strength and dignity.</p> - -<p>The next, and a very principal if not a numerous class, -were officers of some rank and influence, who had -gradually, and without reflection, involved themselves in -proceedings, the scope and extent of which they had never -contemplated till they had gone too far to retract. They -had persuaded themselves that Government would yield -to the representations of the army; and the hope of success, -added to the fear of being accused of defection, had -hitherto kept them firm to the general cause: but these -men, at the period of which I speak, contemplated their -situation with affliction and horror; they saw themselves -borne away in a tide that they could not resist: they conceived, -from a false but imperious sense of honour, which, -from a singular but powerful principle of human nature, -was felt to be the more binding because at variance with -duty, that they were pledged to support the rest; or, more -properly speaking, not to abandon them. They were -sensible too late of having lost their authority and control -over the younger and more violent part of the service, and -regretted their proceedings; but at the same time saw, -under the rigid course pursued by Government, no safety -but in union. This class of men would have rushed to -any door that had been opened to their retreat; they would -have made a stand on any ground that the clemency or -generosity of Government had afforded them; and would -not only have reclaimed themselves, but the rest; for they -were, generally speaking, of that rank and character who -had the chief influence with the troops; and, if extremes -had been resorted to, with them on the side of Government, -the others must have submitted, as their efforts at -resistance would have been quite hopeless. The last and -most numerous, though certainly the least powerful party -among the officers of the coast army, were those who, unfortunately -for its reputation, had the chief management<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -of all the criminal proceedings. This party, which consisted -of a few wrong-headed and violent old officers, and -almost all the junior part of the service, completely took -the lead in their correspondence and deliberative committees; -in both of which a very violent and indecent tone of -proceeding was adopted; and the authority of commanding -officers of corps was apparently suspended by the -principle of equality introduced in their proceedings. -But this loss of power was more apparent than real; for, -though the commanding officers may have had little more -influence in the committee than the youngest officers, their -military authority (generally speaking) remained, and -that must have given them, whenever they had the -courage to exert it, a very commanding influence over -the whole: and this circumstance establishes what has -been before stated, that the most numerous, clamorous, -and violent, were in fact the least powerful party in the -army, though they have assumed a style in the written -documents, as if they were the undisputed and uncontrolled -leaders of the whole of the Company's army.</p> - -<p>The objects of the different classes of officers were, of -course, as various as their feelings. The first could have -no wish, but such a settlement as should vindicate the -dignity of Government, and, as far as possible, spare the -character and reputation of the service. They were too -well aware of the nature of those causes that had led the -discontented astray, not to hope that every effort might be -made to reclaim the misguided; but they were prepared, -if such efforts failed, to have acted with a forward and -animated zeal in support of lawful authority, and to have -contributed their efforts to reduce men who had shown -themselves unworthy of kindness and indulgence. The -next class that has been described required more aid from -the consideration of Government, before they could disentangle -themselves from those unfortunate pledges into -which they had entered. They felt that, after having -proceeded so far, they would have been disgraced if they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -had, by their retreat, left their associates to be punished. -These officers thought they could not abandon the cause -before it was at least ascertained none should suffer for -what had passed; but they had become fully sensible of -the deep guilt in which they were involved: and though -many of this class had entered into a pledge to have -obtained what was termed a redress of grievances (inclusive -of a complete repeal of the orders of the 1st of May), -they were not disposed to persevere to the extent of disobedience -in the pursuit of this object: and had Government, -in addition to an act of amnesty, held out the -slightest prospect that the officers of the army would, by -an immediate return to good order and duty, acquire a -claim upon the clemency and consideration of the Court -of Directors, which might operate favourably to those officers -who were suspended, and who were the object of -their painful solicitude, this class would have used their -utmost efforts to reclaim the more turbulent, and, in the -event of those efforts failing, have employed all their influence -and authority with the troops, to have prevented -any injury to the state, from the violence or insanity of -the rest.</p> - -<p>It is difficult to say what were the objects of the last -class among the officers of the coast army. This, it has -been stated, were the most numerous and most violent, -but the least powerful; though it was probably judged -otherwise by Government, from this party having -throughout conducted the proceedings of the committees, -and correspondence, and having always exaggerated its -means, and assumed, from a desire to intimidate, a tone -as if it spoke the sentiments of all the officers of the army.</p> - -<p>One of the earliest motives to action with this class, was -a personal hatred of Sir George Barlow<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>, and of some -officers on the general staff who were supposed to be his -chief advisers. This feeling had latterly absorbed every -other. From indulging it, they persuaded themselves -that they were compelled to the indefensible extremes -they had adopted, and thus found an alleviation of that -misery in which a sense of guilt had involved them. It -would be difficult to state the objects which men acting -under the dominion of such passions had in view. They, -in fact, did not well know themselves what they desired: -but there were, I believe, very few among this class even, -so completely unreasonable, as to approve of that paper -called <i>the Ultimatum</i>, which the officers of the Hyderabad -force had the presumption to send to Government.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> -<p>Such was the diversified temper of the numerous -officers of the Company's army on the coast when the test -was proposed for universal subscription. In describing -that measure, it is perhaps more essential to attend to the -mode in which it was carried into execution, than its -substance. The Government of Fort St. George had, in -consequence of the information which I gave them from -Masulipatam<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>, assembled a field force near Madras. -The majority of this camp was formed of his Majesty's -troops: but the senior officers of the Company's troops, -who composed a part of this corps, were men of whose -violence, in whatever situation they were placed, Government -could entertain no apprehension<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>; and every thing -might have been expected, under the slightest management, -from their good sense and moderation. Sir George -Barlow, it is true, sent for some of these officers, and -appeared to treat them with confidence in some discussions -he had with them on the state of the army: but one fact -will suffice to show the character of this confidence, and -the general impressions which his conduct on this occasion -was likely to make. Lieutenant-Colonel Rumley (who -commanded the native cavalry at the Mount, and was one -of those respectable officers who were honoured with his -confidence,) received, during this period, an extraordinary -communication from Major Russel, of an attempt to excite -the native officers of the cavalry against their European -commanders. It appears of importance to insert this -written report, as drawn up by the Major himself. It is -as follows:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> - -<p>"On the afternoon of the 23d ultimo<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>, Secunder Khan -Subahdar came to me, on my return from Madras to -camp, and said he had been very anxious to see me for -several hours, as something of a very extraordinary -nature had occurred. That walking in the vicinity of -the lines he had been accosted by a brahmin, who asked -him if he was not the senior officer of cavalry, and said -he had business of the greatest importance to communicate -to him. He then proceeded to disclose to him, -that he had been sent by Colonel Munro to inform the -native troops that their officers had sent in a petition to -Sir George Barlow to be put on Bengal allowances, -which Sir George had informed them the resources of -this country would not admit; and, in consequence of -this refusal, they had resolved to mutiny: that in case -the officers should propose to engage them in seizing -the person of Sir George, it was their duty to say he -was their Governor, and that they would not act in such -a cause. The only way, <i>he further said, in which the -demand of the officers could be complied with, was by -taking away a proportion of the pay of the native -officers and men</i>. That if Secunder Khan would undertake -to persuade all the men and officers to act in this -manner, he should receive a handsome jagheer: and -he was further informed, that Colonel Munro had dispatched -emissaries or letters to communicate the same -to all the native corps in the army. That he had no -occasion to apprehend injury from any one, as he might -observe Sir George had suspended every person who -acted in opposition to his wishes<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> - -<p>Colonel Rumley was naturally indignant at a proceeding -which he was convinced (from the whole behaviour of Sir -George Barlow) could not have his sanction, and which -he deemed, at the moment, to be an impolitic and dangerous -expedient of a person who, enjoying a large share of -his confidence, might have acted on this occasion without -his knowledge. With these impressions, he hastened to -give full information of the circumstance to Sir George -Barlow; but his report was received without either -emotion or surprise; and he was forced to conclude, from -no notice being taken of it, that the measure of which he -complained had been adopted by authority. The circumstance -became public after Colonel Rumley returned to -camp, and the minds of most of the officers were greatly -inflamed at this glaring instance of what they deemed unmanly -duplicity.</p> - -<p>A short account of the mode in which the test was proposed -to the officers at Fort St. George and the camp near -the Mount, will convey, better than any general detail, the -character of the measure. The following is a copy of that -remarkable document:—</p> - -<p>"We, the undersigned officers of the Honourable Company's -service, do in the most solemn manner declare, -upon our word and honour<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> as British officers, that we -will obey the orders and support the authority of the -Honourable the Governor in Council of Fort St. George, -agreeable to the tenor of the commission which we hold -from that Government."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> -<p>This test was sent to the commanding officer of the forces -assembled at Fort St. George and the Mount, and it was -accompanied by a circular letter to the commanding officers -of divisions, which was read to the officers of the Company's -service before their signature was required.</p> - -<p>The substance of this letter was an order to assemble the -Company's officers at each station, to propose the test to -them, and instantly to remove from their corps all such as -declined to sign it. They were directed to be sent to such -stations as the commanding officer chose, and that they -should there receive their allowances until the situation of -affairs and the temper of their minds should admit of their -being employed with advantage to the state.</p> - -<p>This was, it must be recollected, the first public appeal -that had been made to the officers of the Company's service -by the Government of Madras since the orders of the 1st of -May; and it certainly was not of a character calculated to -flatter the feelings of those to whom it was addressed. It -spoke to their sense of duty, and pride as officers; but in -the same breath told them they were not trusted, and that -they were to be coerced into order and submission. The -high praises that were given in this letter to the fidelity -and loyalty of his Majesty's troops were perfectly just; -but quite unnecessary, as far as regarded the allegiance -and obedience of that part of the service; and could therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -serve no purpose but to exasperate the feelings of the -officers of the Company's army. But the mode in which -this measure was carried into execution was the most characteristic -of the Government by whom it was adopted, and -of itself was sufficient to account for its complete failure, -and indeed to make it very doubtful if it ever was wished -or intended that it should succeed.</p> - -<p>No previous effort whatever was made to dispose the -minds of the senior and more reflecting part of the Company's -officers in favour of this measure, though such a -step (which could have been adopted in many ways without -the slightest hazard) seemed essential to its success. A -short and peremptory summons was sent to every Company's -officer of the garrison of Fort St. George, to attend -at the quarters of Colonel Conran, the commanding officer. -That officer read the circular letter to which I have alluded -to the astonished officers whom he had assembled; and then, -presenting the test, informed them they must either sign -immediately, or go to Pulicat, the place fixed for their -banishment. Can any man the least acquainted with the -human mind be surprised, that an almost general and indignant -rejection was the result of such a proceeding? -Five regimental officers only could be prevailed upon to -sign it at this meeting; and the remainder were immediately -sent to Pulicat<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>. At the Mount the rejection was -still more general. Colonel Hare had the day before -removed his tents across the bridge of Marmalon, where -all the officers were summoned at an equally short notice. -When Colonel Hare read the circular letter, presented the -test for signature, and told them that those who refused -their signature would not be allowed to return to camp, -they refused with one general sentiment of indignation at -the manner in which they had been treated, and were immediately -separated from their corps<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> - -<p>The test was signed by all the staff-officers at the Presidency, -and by some officers who were there on leave: -at Trichinopoly twenty-two signed it, but few others at any -other station of the army. In short, the whole number of -signatures did not amount to one hundred out of about one -thousand two hundred, which is near the number of officers -on the coast establishment in India.</p> - -<p>The almost total failure of this expedient (if it ever was -intended to reclaim or fix any officers in the Company's -service to their duty,) will not surprise any man the least -acquainted with human nature, and with the temper of -those to whom the measure was proposed. Those officers, -who had never departed from their duty in thought, word, -or deed, felt this test, which was a mere repetition of the -obligation of their commission, as at least an act of supererogation; -and it was painful, as it had a taint of suspicion -in it. Others, who were in some degree pledged to support -their brother officers, conceived that this was an indirect -mode of obtaining their individual pledges to act -against them; and concluded, from its being proposed, -that every hope of an amnesty was at an end<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a>; whilst the -more violent only saw in it the pursuit of plans which -banished every expectation from their minds of obtaining -personal security, much less the object they had in view, -through any means but successful resistance.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> -<p>The most moderate among these officers argued, that no -opportunity whatever had been given to the Company's -army of retrieving itself; and, guilty as it might have -been, they said the memory of its former fame merited -some consideration; and an appeal to its loyalty and duty, -combined with an act of amnesty, would, they thought, -if it had been made to the officers of the Company's army -with that confidence which inspires attachment, have -secured the fidelity of a great part of them: and if it had -been possible for Government to have gone further, and to -have promised, "that in the event of the conduct of the -army meriting such favour, they would recommend the -case of the officers who had been suspended to the indulgent -consideration of the Court of Directors<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>," they -were confident all would have been reclaimed to their duty. -But had efforts so worthy, in their opinion, of the clemency -and greatness of Government failed in bringing all to -reason, they would have acted with the most ardent zeal -against men whom they should in such event not only have -considered as rebels to their country, but as destroyers of -the reputation of the army to which they belonged. There -can be no doubt these were the sentiments of many respectable -officers of rank and influence: and had Government -adopted, on the 26th of July, any such measures of conciliation, -it would have been completely successful; and -not only the hazard of a contest, but all those disastrous -consequences which were certain to be the inevitable consequence -of complete success, would have been avoided. -And can there be a doubt in the mind of any rational being -but it might have taken such a line, at the very moment -that which has been described was adopted, without any -substantial sacrifice of either its strength or dignity, and -certainly with the greatest benefit to the interests of the -British nation in India?</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> -<p>The measure that was taken was supposed, by almost all -the discontented, to be a completion of that design which -the Government of Fort St. George had from the first (they -conceived) entertained, of relying solely on the King's -troops; and they concluded, from the substance as well as -the mode in which the step taken on the 26th of July was -carried into execution, that the Company's military establishment -on the coast was meant to be destroyed at the first -blow; and all were therefore included in one general mass, -as fit objects of suspicion and disgrace.</p> - -<p>Government had, no doubt, a right to expect success in -the execution of this measure; it had a just reliance on the -fidelity and attachment of his Majesty's troops. A few -regiments, who composed part of the British army, could not -have joined in such a confederacy without incurring certain -and indelible disgrace: and it had been the policy of -the Government of Fort St. George, from the first appearance -of dissatisfaction and discontent, to court the allegiance -and flatter the feelings of this branch of the service. And -though no man can calculate the temper that was lost, or -the consequent evils that have been produced by this proceeding, -the limited object was undoubtedly attained.</p> - -<p>Sir George Barlow appears to have had great confidence -in the attachment of the native troops to Government; -which, I believe, he always thought was paramount to -their attachment to their European officers: and this was -consequently calculated upon as one great means of carrying -his measures into prompt and successful execution: -but certainly the fulfilment of this hope depended upon the -course pursued by the European officers who commanded -these men. There could be no ground to make such a -conclusion upon any general principles applicable to military -bodies, and much less so from the constitution, -character, or history of the native branch of the military<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -establishment in India. The difficulty that a body of -officers have in any service, is to keep soldiers to their -duty: there is little in debauching them from it. They -are led by example: and to follow that of their officers, is -both a principle and a habit. The native troops of India -are perhaps more attached to their European officers than -any others. These officers are to them the only representatives -they know of the Government they serve; they are -the sole link in the chain of their attachment; and, with -rare exceptions, their men are completely devoted to them. -The Governor might, perhaps, expect, that though this -feeling would operate in the first instance, it would soon -give way to a fear of losing all those solid benefits that the -service of the Company offers; and that the sepoys would -never continue to attach their fortunes to so desperate a -cause as that of the officers must soon appear. This is a -natural conduct for a sensible and reflecting man: but do -soldiers think, or reflect deeply? Would not the increased -pay which their officers (if they were serious in rebellion) -would be likely to give, or, what is still more attractive to -men like them, a latitude to plunder, have more effect than -twenty proclamations to recall them to their duty. Besides, -had this dreadful contest continued, the passions would -have had their way, and a few months might have changed -the character of our native soldiery, and rendered them -more formidable than all the enemies we ever had to encounter -in India.</p> - -<p>It will at least appear, from what has been said on the -subject, that Government had no right to look to the -fidelity and attachment of the native troops, as a certain -means of coercing their European officers to obedience. -But the fact was, that the sure ground of success, and that -on which the Government had more right to calculate -(when it resorted to extremes,) than all others put together, -was the action of the virtuous feelings and loyal principles -of the Company's officers themselves, and the total want of -object, accord and combination, in the execution of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -indigested plans of the most violent. It was well known -that many of those officers had never brought their minds -to contemplate disobedience to the state: and the most -guilty even, at first proceeded on the idea that such an extreme -would never occur. They certainly had hoped that -Government would yield, to avoid it: and when they latterly -found that result was not likely, they shuddered at -the crisis which they had precipitated. They had no -object in view that could justify to their own minds the -extremes in which they were involved; they found themselves -on the point of being placed in the situation of -rebels, with minds altogether unsuited to act that part -which can alone give a hope of success to the cause of -rebellion. They could not (violent as they were against -the Governor of Madras and some others) bring their -minds to believe they were enemies to a revered King and -beloved country; and they consequently wished to reconcile -the incompatible principles of opposition to the local -Government, with a spirit of fidelity to their employers, -and loyalty to their sovereign. There could be no doubt -of their sincerity in these feelings: and, from the clashing -of such opposite principles of action, Government had a -right to expect irresolution, division, and distraction in -their councils and measures. It was certain that many -would not join in any act of disobedience, and that those -who ventured on opposition would proceed with alarm; -and every moment of reflection would make them view -with increased horror the guilt in which they were involved, -and produce a wavering and hesitation that must -soon have the effect of losing them the confidence of their -followers and of each other.</p> - -<p>Under such circumstances, there could be little doubt -of the ultimate success of Government in the measures -adopted for subduing the refractory European officers of -the army. We shall now examine the dangers by which -these measures were likely to be attended. These were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -numerous, and all of an alarming political magnitude<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>. -The greatest, was the shock which was given by this proceeding -to that attachment between the European officer -and the natives under his command, which, from the first -establishment of the Company in India to the present moment, -had been looked upon as one of the principal, if not -the chief, sources of our strength in India. This body of -officers has been hitherto justly considered as the great -means by which British India was conquered, and by -whose fidelity, knowledge and courage, it was to be maintained. -They were comparatively a few persons, through -whom a large foreign army was not only disciplined, but -attached to the present state. Their station was one of -more than ordinary trust, their duties very sacred, and -they had for a long period of years been distinguished by -the manner in which these had been performed. A part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -of them had been seduced, and misled into error, and -ultimately hurried away, by their passion and resentment -against individuals in authority, to the most criminal extremes. -They certainly had merited, in the strictness of -military law, the most serious punishment; and it was, no -doubt, as far as the principles of that law were concerned, -most desirable, for the sake of example, that punishment -should be inflicted, particularly as those officers had in -this instance endeavoured to pervert that complete obedience -which their men owed them, into an engine of faction -and revolt; and to render the attachment of those under -their command, which had been so long considered the -safety of their country, its future bane and danger. That -any body of officers should have, or conceive they had, -the power of furthering their own views or interests by -means so desperate, and so entirely subversive of the -foundations of all order and government, was, no doubt, -an evil of great magnitude: but it should have been recollected, -that the connexion between the native soldiers and -their European officers is the cherished plant of a hundred -years: and before we can account those men wise who -laid the axe to its trunk, it must be proved that the existing -spirit of insubordination among the European officers -was attended with dangers as imminent and as incapable -of remedy, as the evil that has been embraced by the deliberate -dissolution of this great bond of our strength and -safety. Some persons, who refer to a former occasion<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> on -which the Indian army are supposed in some degree to have -overawed the Government into a redress of their grievances, -and viewing only one side of this great question, may argue, -that it was rather desirable to adopt a measure that would -prevent the European officers from having such reliance -on the support of their men, and teach the latter that they -have a duty paramount even to their obedience to their -officers, in that which they owe the state: but it is a great -fallacy to conceive that such a feeling can ever exist as an -operative principle in the minds of such a class of men; -and if it did, it must weaken a devotion and attachment -that are quite essential to the preservation of our power in -India<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next positive evil that was certain to attend this -course of measure, was the destruction of that harmony -which it had been the labour of years to introduce and -maintain between his Majesty's and the Company's service, -and which had so greatly contributed to our military -successes in India. It could hardly be expected that these -would (for some years at least) serve together again with -those sentiments towards each other which before inspired -them: and nothing can be so dangerous to our interests in -India, as feelings of irritation and jealousy being kindled -betwixt the two services. Those who have cast away this -harmony, which has so long been deemed one of the chief -sources of our permanent strength, would perhaps see more -security to the Government of India in an irreconcileable -division between the King's and Company's troops. But -there is no danger of an error, in predicting that the date -of our rule over India will be short, if our Government in -that quarter can only be supported by such weak and -wretched expedients as that of keeping up a principle of -division among its own officers.</p> - -<p>The last positive and immediate evil which could not -but attend this measure, was that effect which it was calculated -to produce among the natives of all ranks and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -classes. Our strength in India has hitherto greatly rested -upon the supposed impossibility of any civil commotion -among ourselves: and the dissolution of this charm will -give rise to a thousand doubts regarding the stability of our -power; and, in all human probability, excite ambitious -projects to assail it. This effect is of a magnitude that in -itself required every exertion should be made to avoid an -extreme that could not but make so general and dangerous -an impression regarding the character of our power in -India. It must show our enemies in that quarter that we -are not exempt (as it has long been believed we were) from -those internal divisions and civil wars which have accelerated -the fate of the other conquerors of the East<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> -<p>There is one more consideration connected with this -question. The comparative safety which appeared in the -gradual removal of those radical causes which created a -spirit of discontent, over a system of harsh coercion under -the most unfavourable circumstances that could be supposed, -whether we consider the situation of Government or the -army. It is not necessary in this place to detail all those -causes. One of them, which excited great discontent -(though certainly not rebellion), was undoubtedly that -system of reduction which at this time threatened to leave -the Company's officers in India without a motive of action. -They saw (at the period of its progress) no prospect of any -alteration in their condition that would, by elevating the -service and facilitating their return to their native country, -make amends for what they lost; and their minds gave -way to greater despair, from an impression that those who -<i>they believed</i> were founding their fortune and reputation -on the reduction of their allowances, took no interest in -obtaining any advantages to counterbalance what was -taken from them. This grievance, unallayed by a -hope of redress, had an effect upon the general temper of -the army that merited the greatest attention.</p> - -<p>But the fact is, the Government of Fort St. George -never appear to have taken any view of this subject, -that comprehended those considerations which have been -stated. They seem to have decided every question, as it -arose, upon its own narrow ground, and to have always -been fettered in the forms of their own proceedings<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>. -The order for the imposition of the test which was prescribed -to the Company's officers, was positive, and vested -no discretion. In stations where the superiority of his -Majesty's troops was decided, this character of the order -could do no mischief: but few of those acquainted with -the circumstances can doubt, that to the wisdom and forbearance -of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Patrick -Stuart, of his Majesty's 19th regiment, who took upon -himself to suspend the execution of this positive order, and -to give time for the action of reason upon minds under the -sole dominion of passion, may be attributed not only the -safety of that corps, but the tranquillity of Travancore. -A similar conduct was observed by Lieutenant-Colonel -Forbes, of his Majesty's 80th regiment, who commanded -in Malabar; and by Colonel Gibbs, of the 59th regiment, -at Bangalore: and the evidence of these respectable officers -must be conclusive with regard to the actual temper -of the Company's officers under their command, on the -day they received the orders of the 26th July, and prove -to the most incredulous, how easily men under the influence -of such feelings as they describe, might have been -reclaimed by means far short of that baneful measure -which was adopted.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> -<p>The force at Hyderabad continued but a short period -in a state of resistance; and they committed no act of violence. -The impression which Colonel Close's effort (though -unsuccessful at the moment) had made upon both the minds -of European officers and natives, the effect produced by -the perusal of an order issued by Lord Minto on the 20th -of July, and the knowledge that his lordship was hourly -expected at Madras, deprived rebellion of its chief motive—personal -hatred to Sir George Barlow. And these circumstances, -aided by the unremitted conciliatory efforts of -the commanding officer, Colonel Montresor, and the Resident, -Captain Sydenham, made a complete change in the -sentiments of this corps, who upon the 12th of August -signed the test: and as their example encouraged many -corps of the army, but particularly those that formed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -garrison of Seringapatam, in a rebellious resistance to -Government, their defection from the cause put an end to -this horrid and unnatural contest: and Lord Minto, who -arrived a few days after this event, found a complete and -unreserved submission to his authority. Had he arrived a -month earlier, he would have saved an army from disgrace -and ruin: and as it was, it is not easy to calculate the good -which his presence effected: but it is not unreasonable to -conclude, that the report even of his approach went farther -to terminate the partial rebellion that had occurred, than -all the violence of the Madras Government.</p> - -<p>The whole of these proceedings ought to be held in constant -remembrance by all parties in future times. "As -they have existed for our shame, they ought to exist for -our instruction<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>."</p> - -<p>To the officers of the Indian army they are awfully instructive. -They will not consider a few remarks on the -nature of that instruction as unbecoming in one who has -served with them for near twenty-eight years; who came -among them in childhood; whose fortune and character -have been acquired with them; whose affection and pride -are, and always must be, deeply interested in their reputation.</p> - -<p>If they dispassionately consider these events, they will -clearly perceive the danger of the first approaches towards -a military combination, intended only to solicit a Government, -but necessarily tending to influence, to overawe, and -to coerce it. The purity of intention affords no security -against this progress. Men who deliberate and confederate -with arms in their hands soon become impatient of the -slow course of redress by regular means. Indignant at refusals, -or even delays, which they deem unjust, they become -familiar with the dangerous idea of seeking more summary -justice. They assemble, their passions are kindled by -communication of grievances, they are emboldened by a -sense of collective strength, and proceed from solicitations -to threats, disguised (from the great majority of those that -use them) in the form of predictions apparently flowing -from an anxious desire to avert the evils foretold.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> -<p>Such addresses bring upon them censure and harsh imputation, -which they resent the more because they are not -yet distinctly conscious of intentions which merit them. -Their language becomes still more indecorous and violent; -and some of their most conspicuous leaders are punished. -They have then unhappily placed themselves in a situation -where they are pushed forward on the road of guilt by the -most virtuous impulses of the human heart—fidelity towards -each other, honourable attachment to the distinguished -members of their body become sufferers in their -cause, and indignation against what they (under the influence -of self-delusion) regard as insupportable tyranny, -impel them onward with irresistible force. Youth, with -all its generous feelings, its inexperience and its impetuosity, -assumes the lead in their councils. The prudent -and the moderate are either banished as traitors, or compelled -to be instruments of the more inconsiderate and -daring. They find that they have forfeited all expectation -of a tolerable pardon. They see no hopes of safety but in -victory; and they are hurried on by fear and despair, as -well as anger and resentment, to rebellion.</p> - -<p>Thus terminates in guilt the progress of men who began -with innocence and honour; and of whom each, if the termination -had been foretold even when he was far advanced -in impropriety, might with sincerity have exclaimed, "<i>Is -thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?</i>"</p> - -<p>Any event of such a rebellion would be most unfortunate -to those engaged in it, but success would be the greater -misfortune, and indeed the most severe punishment with -which the justice of Providence could visit their guilt.</p> - -<p>Success would every where be a dreadful calamity to a -body of British officers betrayed into military rebellion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -against the civil authorities of their country. Their success -would be the destruction of every source and guard of -their own security, and of every thing of which the defence -peculiarly ennobles and endears the profession of arms to -a British soldier. In India, however, this misfortune of -success would have very bitter aggravations. As soon as -British officers had oppressed the lawful authority, they -would quickly discover what, in the tumult of dissension, -their passions had concealed from them, that they had, -though unknowingly, raised their arms against their -country, which must espouse the cause of her delegated -authorities<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a>. They would thus be proscribed and exiled -by a country, the hope of revisiting which is the basis of -every plan and expectation of their lives.</p> - -<p>Apprehending mutiny among their soldiers, revolt -among their subjects, irruption from their Asiatic neighbours, -or conquest by some European state, no longer -guarded by their own country, but the objects of her just -hostility, they would find themselves alone and unprotected -in the world. In this friendless situation they could be -supported by no generous enthusiasm, the child of patriotism -and honour, which could awaken no feeling in -their bosom but shame and remorse. Their numbers -could only be kept up by adventurers, the refuse of -the military profession in Europe. The civil wars, inevitable -in such a state of things, would be not so much the -consummation of their evils, as a refuge from such intolerable -calamities.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> -<p>Happily for the British officers in India, (I speak not -paradoxically, but considerately,) no such calamity is probable. -They are sure of being haunted by so many -"compunctious visitings of nature," from the thoughts of -their friends, of their Sovereign, of their beloved country, -as to impair that criminal energy necessary for the success -of desperate enterprizes. Theirs is not a country, or a -state of manners, or a system of religion and morality, -which trains men to revolutionary sternness and ferocity. -Their failure was, and ever will be, certain. But such -convulsions bring dreadful consequences:—the loss of that -collective character which was the source of pride to each -individual, long regret and remorse, their hearts taught -to dread generous and social feeling; and the most distinguished -of them, if not condemned to death, still more -unhappily abandoned to a dishonourable life.</p> - -<p>In their native land they will meet little or none of that -sympathy which supports the sufferers for a general cause. -Their discontent appears to spring only from the most -ignoble sources. Those who have not visited India will -not easily conceive that a pecuniary retrenchment is chiefly -felt (<i>which it really is</i>) as a degradation, by an army -already sufficiently excluded from the higher rewards of -valour: first shut out from military honours, and then -from that compensation for them which they had found in -the prospect of returning home to the exercise of generous -virtue. Last, and worst of all, they find that their more -glaring and dangerous guilt has almost effaced the remembrance -of that misconduct which produced it, and given -popularity and character to those they deem their enemies.</p> - -<p>To the British Governments of India these deplorable -occurrences are not less fertile in instruction. They will -learn, that to preserve the obedience of a military body, -exiled almost for life in a distant dependency, to civil -bodies who are the temporary delegates of a Commercial -Company, is one of the most difficult problems of policy: -that such obedience is not always to be preserved by a -rigid adherence to official rules, nor restored by undistinguishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -obstinacy clothed in the garb of firmness. They -will be taught by high authority, "<i>how much ought to be -done to avert a contest in which concession does not find -its place</i><a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>."</p> - -<p>They will feel, that the difficulty of their policy respecting -the army will always be increased at moments when the -necessities of the state require extensive retrenchments. A -wise Government will prepare the way for such retrenchments, -by evidently showing that they are necessary, and -that they are equitably imposed on all classes: they will -not disdain more particularly to satisfy those distinguished -members of an army, whose influence over their brethren is -a principle of natural discipline. They will redouble their -vigilance to distribute military honours and rewards with -the strictest equity; and they will be solicitous to display -the appearance as well as the reality of kindness towards -the individuals of a body who are about to suffer.</p> - -<p>When the passions of the moment have subsided, no -man will believe that a Governor, confessedly unpopular<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>, -introducing or maintaining systems of retrenchment, necessary -indeed, but most severe, and without preparation, -without public precaution or private conciliation, did not, -by these circumstances, most materially contribute to the -unhappy crisis which followed. The total omission of all -those means which make reformation popular, or even -tolerable, will assuredly be regarded as a great political -offence. It will be considered as ridiculous to call for particular -proof that a cold and unfeeling manner tended to -make privations be felt as insults. No man of common -sense will doubt that a popular Governor may reconcile -men to retrenchments, which, under a Governor of an -opposite character, may produce the most fatal effects. A -recent example might be found at no great distance from -Madras, (if any examples of what is so obvious were -necessary,) of a Governor<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> who had imposed greater -retrenchments than Sir George Barlow, and who, without -any sacrifice of dignity, left his government, universally -beloved. But it will not be doubted that the Government -of Madras thus contributed their share towards maturing -the discontents of the army previous to the orders of -General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall. Still less can it be doubted, that by -the suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles the -spark was struck out which fell on the combustible materials.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the circumstances of the case, and after the restoration -of the surviving officer by his superiors, it is very mild -language to call this suspension an act of very doubtful -justice. And it is most certain, that an act of authority so -harsh, and of such doubtful justice, against officers who -had such a fair appearance of mere military obedience, -and whose very fault, if they had one, must have sprung -from a zeal for military privileges, was of a nature to -vibrate through every nerve of an army. When the Government -once did an act which made two officers of rank -at least appear to suffer unjustly for the army, they entirely -changed the character of the disputes. They drove the -generosity, honour, and justice of the army into rebellion. -They supplied the discontented with the colour of right, -without which no leaders are ever able to seduce multitudes -to resistance. They exalted pecuniary grievances -into the feelings of generous sympathy and wounded -honour. They made it be thought disgraceful to abstain -from taking a part in a combination to prevent injustice. -The moderate, the disinterested, the loyal, even the timid -and circumspect, were forced into opposition,—by shame, -by fear, by sympathy, by that tumultuous combination of -causes, generous and mean, which recruit the ranks of -insurgents, and change the murmurs of a few into the -mutinous clamour of the many. Whatever the evil intentions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -of a few may be, it is always an act of real or supposed -injustice which throws the multitude into the hands -of the ill-affected leaders. Before the suspension there -existed only discontents; after it, general disaffection, conspiracy, -and sedition.</p> - -<p>The necessity of vesting the power of dismissing or suspending -officers in the Government will never be questioned -by thinking men: but when it is considered, that the -operation of the general orders of the 1st of May was, considering -the rank and number of the suspended officers, not -a much less exertion of authority than if his Majesty were -to strike a tenth part of his general officers out of the list -of the army, it will not be wondered that this example of -the precarious and degraded tenure by which military rank -was held, should have diffused universal dismay, and reinforced -resentment by despair.</p> - -<p>The dispassionate observer, after remarking with wonder -that every expedient was omitted or rejected which could -detach the misguided from the ill-affected, or open a -creditable retreat for the penitent, will pause before the -sword was drawn, to consider whether general submission -would then have been too dearly purchased by an amnesty -which should not have excluded from hope even the officers -suspended on the 1st of May.</p> - -<p>It will be acknowledged, that the example of a sedition -proceeding so far without punishment, is an evil: but it -was to be balanced against other evils;—against the calamities -of civil war; against the mischief of rendering one -part of our military force in India the enemies of the other; -against the evils of a victory which must be gained over -the spirit of the army, and consequently over the strength -of the Government.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> - -<p>It will be considered, whether a measure, <i>not of concession</i>, -but <i>of conciliation</i><a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a>, offered a prospect of greater evils -than a plan of division, such as Machiavelian politicians -have sometimes employed against the public enemy;—but -which was now to be, for the first time, employed against -the only safeguard of the state;—a plan to make the King's -troops look down on the Company's with the proud contempt -of conquerors, and the Company's army feel towards -the King's all the mortified pride and secret indignation -natural to the vanquished; a plan for suppressing a rebellion -of European officers by clandestinely instigating a -mutiny of native soldiers against them; a plan for securing -the Government by dividing and dispiriting the army, and -for founding general tranquillity upon a monstrous balance -of officers against soldiers, and of one army against another.</p> - -<p>It will be ascribed to the unbending temper of Sir George -Barlow, that he did not perceive the probability of amnesty -being at length granted, after open resistance, by the -humanity of the British Administration in India and England, -almost as general as that of which, before the sword -was drawn, he treated the proposal as every thing but -a crime.</p> - -<p>Future Governments will not be insensible to the dreadful -dangers which have been incurred, even if the character -of British officers should prevent the threatened evils from -being realized; and they will see, that though the policy -of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> - Great Britain has supported the cause of authority, yet -her equitable benevolence has virtually disavowed these -measures, by interposing to repair their harsher consequences.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="POSTSCRIPT" id="POSTSCRIPT">POSTSCRIPT.</a></h2> - - -<p>After I had written these observations on the late disturbances -at Madras, I perused a very able and ingenious article in the -ninth number of the Quarterly Review, upon that subject. The -first part of that article explains the progress of the violent proceedings -of the Company's officers engaged in those disturbances, -and enters into very full discussions to prove and establish the -fact of their guilt. In almost all this part my sentiments differ -little from those of the reviewer. I do not, however, agree with -the opinions he has stated on the case of Lieutenant-Colonel -Munro. He conceives, that if Government had allowed that -officer to have been tried by a court martial, it would have been -a base desertion, and a sacrifice of a public servant. I trust I -have shown, that although Government had a <i>full legal right</i> to -act as they did, a contrary conduct might have been adopted -without any such desertion or sacrifice, and with every prospect -of advantage to the public interests.</p> - -<p>The reviewer dwells throughout the article upon the crude -and violent Memorial to Lord Minto, and assumes, with great -advantage to his argument, that it may be taken as a fair specimen -of the sentiments of all the discontented officers at Madras. He -is probably ignorant of the comparatively small number of those -officers who approved of this intemperate production. He -cannot, I think, be aware, that many of those whom he has -blended in his general censure, merely because they were blended -in the undistinguishing proscription of the Government of Fort -St. George, never saw that document till it was published.</p> - -<p>I have, in my observations on the disturbances at Madras, said -little on the question of the suspension of Colonel Capper and -Major Boles; but I conceive all that the reviewer has said upon -that subject will be deemed by those who consider it attentively,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -as more ingenious than solid. The whole of that discussion -would appear to resolve itself into a very short question. The -act of disobedience to his superior, in a military officer or soldier, -can alone be justified in a case where the civil law would punish -his obedience. A great deal must of course be decided by the -circumstances of the moment. "To your tents, O Israel!" -would, in the present state of Great Britain, be an unobjectionable -text. It certainly was not so in the reign of Charles the -First. But we have only to suppose Major Boles on his trial -before a civil court, for publishing, or aiding in the publication, -of a seditious libel. Among the circumstances to be considered -in such a case, that prompt and undeliberate obedience which it -is the habit of an officer to give to the orders of his superiors, -would assuredly be one of the most prominent; and an English -jury would, I imagine, be slow in condemning an officer situated -as Major Boles was. They would probably think, that the great -and vital principle of prompt obedience, on which the existence -of that armed force which guarded the civil community depended, -was of too important and sacred a nature to have its plain meaning -frittered away by casuists and lawyers. These reflections -would certainly lead plain men to decide, that we ought not to -refine too much upon such delicate points, and that no military -order should be disobeyed, the illegality of which was not of so -obvious a nature as to be clear to the most common understanding. -But, after all, the justice or injustice of this act of -authority is but a small part of a very large question. The -wisdom and policy of the measure, (which is the point on which -the character of the Government of Fort St. George is chiefly -concerned,) appear, however, to be given up even by those who -are the warm advocates of many other parts of that system -which was pursued.</p> - -<p>The writer of the review traces what he deems an exact similarity -of character between Sir George Barlow's measures and -those adopted by Lord Clive, in 1766, to quell a sedition among -the officers of the Bengal army; and infers, from a general and sweeping -conclusion, that the reputation of these two Governors must -stand or fall by the same arguments. To those who are satisfied -with the superficial and general facts,—that both Lord Clive and -Sir George Barlow exercised power in India, that there were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -discontents and combinations among a part of the European -officers of the native troops during their respective administrations, -which terminated, on both occasions, in submission to -authority,—the observations made in the Quarterly Review on -this part of the subject will be satisfactory, and conclusive: but -to such as examine the particulars of these two important events, -and trace to its true cause the defection of the officers of the -Bengal army in 1766, and then observe the open, military, and -manly conduct of Lord Clive, there will appear much more -grounds for a contrast than a comparison. The conduct of the -officers of the Bengal army, their limited number, and the actual -constitution of the native army<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> at that period of our dominion -in India, make a still wider difference in all those considerations, -that render the late measures of the Government of Madras, as -they affect the personal attachment and fidelity of the sepoys to -their European officers, dangerous to our future security. But -supposing the difference in this respect did not exist, Lord Clive, -when actually engaged in war, might have been compelled, by -the conduct of officers, which the situation of affairs rendered -doubly disgraceful, to adopt a measure that was most deeply -injurious to those principles upon which our empire is founded. -We have escaped this danger; but is that any reason for incurring -a similar hazard? It has never been stated that the danger -from weakening the respect and attachment of the sepoy for his -officer was inevitable, and must be destructive to our power -within a specific period. Its alarming tendency has been shown: -and it is this which must be disproved, and the <i>absolute necessity</i> -of having had resort to it established, before the course pursued -in this instance by the Government of Fort St. George can be -efficiently defended.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> -<p>The reviewer appears resolved to deny every fact that can -even palliate the guilt of the officers of the Madras army. He -terms their desire to submit to Lord Minto a difference in point -of form, "a saving to their pride, not to their consciences;" and -he is amused with the assertion, that the love of their country -had a decided operation in defeating their guilty proceedings. -The man who reasons thus coolly upon such events, has probably -never witnessed a scene at all resembling that of which he treats; -or he would have discovered, that when passion seizes that -ground which reason has abandoned, men act more under the -influence of feelings than forms; and with minds deluded, but -not debased, they make a vain attempt to reconcile the most -opposite principles of conduct, and fall, <i>self-subdued</i>, by those -virtues which are implanted too deeply in their hearts to be eradicated -by the sudden action, however violent, of a guilty but -transient impulse.</p> - -<p>The able writer in the review conceives that he has at once -discovered the chief cause of the late disturbances, and the best -apology for the Company's officers concerned in them, in the -constitution of the Company's service, and the habits of those -that belong to it. The atmosphere they imbibe is calculated, in -his opinion, to relax all just ideas of subordination; and they are, -he infers, predisposed, from such causes, to an opposition to the -authority placed over them. Some disposition to resistance may -no doubt be found in every community, civil as well as military, -that ever existed; and to the existence of this universal and -natural feeling every excellence of human government may be -traced. But let us suppose that this disposition had, from local -circumstances and other causes, attained such a degree among -the Company's officers in India, as to threaten the public tranquillity; -what does this prove? It is, <i>if true to the extent stated -in the review</i>, not an excuse for those who produced that crisis -which has been described; but an eulogium, and a very high one, -upon the wisdom and vigour of those rulers of our Indian possessions, -who have not only repressed this disposition to opposition, -but have rendered those to whom it is ascribed the instruments -of the advancement of the interests and glory of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -country: and a reflecting man would probably find much more -to admire, than condemn, even in that case<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> which is triumphantly -brought forward to prove this assertion. When events led -a wise and moderate Governor-General<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a>, and an able and politic -Indian minister<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a>, to prefer a course which certainly made many -and important sacrifices of ordinary maxims of rule, but which -led to a quiet and just settlement of all complaints; to the pursuit -of a severe, inflexible system, which (anxious only for its own -character) defends a principle at the hazard of a state: most -persons, when they contemplated the great end, would at least -pardon the means by which it was obtained, and perhaps see -more of wisdom and generosity, than of "short-sightedness and -absurdity," in the measures of those who exercised their -powers with such temper, forbearance, and indulgence, upon -that memorable occasion. Those who endeavour to heap -obloquy upon their names, in order to exalt a contrary course of -proceeding, will find no support to their arguments from the -conduct of the officers of the Bengal army subsequent to that -occurrence: that has been exactly the reverse of what it ought -to have been, agreeable to the conclusions of the writer of the -review; and the great progress made in the discipline of that -army, their strict adherence to every principle of order and subordination, -(particularly on the occasion of the late agitations at -Madras,) affords a most convincing proof of the wide difference -between a spirit of discontent carried even to the extreme of -opposition to authority, among a body of officers, (who, however -lost to reason and duty for the moment, must soon return, instructed -by their deviation, to that order on which their condition -depends,) and a mutiny of common soldiers. Men solely -educated in civil life are too apt to confound this great distinction: -and to that ignorance of the different shades of military -feeling which varies from the proud but rational submission of a -cultivated mind, to the mere habit of mechanical obedience in -one of a more vulgar mould, a great part of the evils which -occurred at Madras may be ascribed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<p>It has always been discovered, on a near view of human -affairs, that smaller causes than the self-importance of man is -willing to believe, produce the greatest changes in society. The -difference between a general view of a subject, and a minute -observation of all its parts, is immense: and to this difference, -more than to any other cause, I am disposed to ascribe the -opposite opinions I entertain, on many points of this large question, -from the able writer of the review. He has, with a full -sense of the advantage, dwelt upon those general principles that -regulated the conduct of Sir George Barlow; and has enlarged, -with great force and effect, upon their importance to good order -and government. While he maintains this ground he is unassailable; -and he seldom quits it: but if truth be the object of -our search, we must go deeper. There perhaps never was an -administration which exhibited, during the period of which we -treat, so extraordinary a mixture of good principles, and a bad -application of them; of an inflexible regard to form, and a total -neglect of feeling, as that of the Governor of Fort St. George. -It is from this reason, that every man of impartiality, who -peruses a general statement of the late transactions at Madras, -will give Sir George Barlow the highest praise: but if he looks -further, and examines with a minute attention, not only his -measures, but the season and mode of their execution; his admiration -will infallibly diminish. He will be compelled (though -perhaps reluctantly,) to abandon some abstract ideas regarding -the beauty of general principles, which he may have long and -fondly cherished, and to confess the force of that observation -which experience taught Mr. Burke to make, upon all such -general questions—"I have lost," said that great orator and -statesman, "all confidence in your swaggering majors, having -always found that the truth lurked in the little minor of -<i>circumstances</i>."</p> - -<p>In the conclusion of the article of the review the writer animadverts -on the description given by Mr. Petrie of the cold -and repulsive manners of Sir George Barlow; and in observing -upon this "deficiency in the charm of demeanour," though he -admits it must subtract from the influence of a statesman, he -makes an allusive comparison (on the ground of common defects)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -between his character and that of some of the greatest names in -history<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a>, who, notwithstanding their defective manners, have, -by the force of their superior genius, been able to command -the support of mankind: and, to give more effect to this allusion, -the reviewer quotes a public dispatch from Lord Minto, in -which that nobleman ascribes the great unpopularity of Sir -George Barlow to "a pure and inflexible discharge of ungrateful, -but sacred and indispensable duties." Self-defence has -alone compelled me to discuss the acts of Sir George Barlow. -On his character my opinion was long ago formed. It will be -seen, that at the commencement of these disturbances I confidentially -stated that opinion<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a>. I then represented him as a man -of excellent talent, of unsullied integrity, of indefatigable industry, -and distinguished by long and meritorious services to the -Company. I still retain that opinion; and no injustice of which -he may be guilty towards me, shall ever prevent me from -expressing it. I then foresaw that the defects of his character -would, in his situation, probably produce very pernicious consequences. -My opinion has been confirmed by the event. Experience -seems to me to have most fully proved, that the very -qualities which eminently fit a man for subordinate situations, -may unfit him for the supreme; and that the rules which are -necessary to the good order of many of the inferior departments, -may, in their undistinguishing application, prove destructive in -the general administration of a great state.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Cicero's Letters to his Friends, Vol. I. p. 194. Octavo. London, 1753.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> As if an unqualified refusal to forward these Memorials was not adequate -to produce this dangerous effect, the names of all the officers who -had signed the first Memorial were placed on a proscribed list, and deemed -ineligible to any promotion in commands or staff situations. One fact -will show the impression that this act made upon the most moderate. I -wrote to Colonel Aldwell Taylor, an officer of high rank and respectability, -expressing my earnest desire to see him placed in a command in -which I thought his principles and character would be useful to Government. -In his answer, which is dated the 29th of July, he details the causes -of his being in a situation of actual retirement. When he had applied for -a command to which his services gave him a right to aspire, he observes, -that he was informed of the crime by which he had not only forfeited all -hope of that particular station, but also (he adds), "that for having affixed -my signature to a respectful address to my superiors and employers, I -was placed at the head of a list of names comprising nearly two thirds -of the army, and thereby marked by the extreme displeasure of Government, -and thence deprived of every future hope of situations of honour -and emolument. Whilst smarting under these most serious injuries, I -felt it impossible to resume the command of Masulipatam, and made -application to retire." This case is more marked than others of the -same kind, because there can be little, if any doubt, the violent mutiny -that took place at Masulipatam would never have occurred, if Colonel -Taylor had remained in command of that garrison. The nature of this -unavowed punishment (for though there is, I imagine, no doubt such a -resolution was passed by Government, it was never published in any order,) -is very peculiar; but it is very characteristic of the system of measures -pursued. It was teasing and aggravating in its operation, without efficiency -in its end.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Vide the preceding note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Vide Mr. Pigott's Opinion, printed with the Memorial of Major Boles.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> This crude and violent address was never transmitted to the Governor -General. The crime laid to the charge of the officers here mentioned, -was being implicated in framing it and in promoting its circulation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> There may be some rare exceptions to this rule, which apply to secret -confederacies against a state, where the object is to <i>deprive an individual of -power, more than to punish as an example</i>. This consideration could, on the -1st of May, have hardly applied even as a fair pretext to any one individual -of the many that were punished.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> In this officer's case there was no impropriety or disrespect in the -letter, that could have aggravated the offence; and the motive which -made him state what he had done, was assuredly honourable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> It is, of course, meant the most moderate among those who were at -all discontented.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> I heard this plan mentioned by an officer high on the staff, the day -before I sailed for Masulipatam, and protested against its principle, as -directly contrary to that on which I had been desired to act, and indeed -to every effort of conciliation. The Governor, to whom I immediately -stated this fact, appeared to me to accord in my opinion; but, a few days -after my departure, he was induced to adopt this measure, and to provoke -disobedience to authority.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The following are the sentiments of Colonel Close upon this subject, -as expressed in his letter to Major Barclay under date the 24th of July, -1809, and published in the correspondence laid before the House of -Commons: -</p> -<p> -"It is generally admitted as a sound maxim, not to hazard the giving -of an order unless there be a fair ground of presumption that it will be -obeyed. From the apparent circumstances of the time, the orders sent -to Masulipatam were perhaps fairly hazarded; but, after those orders -had been disobeyed, to send orders to Hyderabad for the march of a -battalion, might have been regarded as a measure in some degree -exceptionable. The officers, who have opposed the orders sent for the -purpose, are now more forcibly tied together than before. The -extreme of their proceedings is increased, and their danger and fear -seriously heightened. Their impulse to act is become more violent; -and accordingly the loss to the public cause must be in proportion to -all these augmentations. But this is not all. If the measure of moving -the battalion was meant to be useful, in having an experimental effect, -Hyderabad was assuredly the very place at which the experiment -should not have been made; confusion could not be so hurtful any -where else." -</p> -<p> -Those who know the delicacy of this superior man will judge, from this -extract, what must have been the strength of his feelings upon the -subject.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, and the removal from the -general staff of some officers obnoxious to the malecontents, were among -the demands in this paper.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Lord Minto has, in his letter to the secret committee, noticed this -feeling, as forming a strong and operative principle of action in the minds -of these infatuated men.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Vide Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> The names of the principal of these officers, Colonel Clarke, Colonel -Rumley, Colonel Floyer, Major Russel, and Captain Noble, will be -received by all parties as full evidence of the truth of this assertion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> July, 1809.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Emissaries of a similar character were at and before this period sent -to all the native corps.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Government could not have supposed men very deep in guilt, upon -whose solemn assurance that they would fulfil the obligation of their commissions -such reliance was to be placed. It was evident, that had they -cherished any serious designs against their country, or any of its constituted -authorities, they would not have hazarded the failure of their -schemes by stickling at the little additional guilt that would have attended -the breach of any test so forced upon their acceptance; they -would have signed, and watched the opportunity of accomplishing their -plans. But of this there was no apprehension: they were acknowledged, -at the moment this pledge was presented, to be men of honour, and alive -to all the obligations that word implies. And can it be argued that men, -with such feelings, were not to be fixed in their duty, or reclaimed to it, -by other means than such as <i>almost imposed opposition as a point of honour</i>, -as by it only they could avoid the reproach of having been trepanned, -alarmed, and coerced into a promise to perform that duty which they -owed to the state they served.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Captain Moodie, the commanding officer, and almost all the officers -of the first battalion of the 6th regiment, were among this number, though -that corps had, up to this date, been remarkable for never having joined -in any one of the guilty or objectionable measures of the army. It was a -sense of their past conduct that made such treatment more insufferable.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> The senior Company's officer at this meeting was Colonel Clarke, -commanding the artillery, who was known to be exempt even from suspicion -of any share whatever in the violent proceedings of a part of the -army, and had been recently selected on that ground to command at the -Mount. Was it not natural that a sense of his own conduct should have -led this honourable officer to reject with indignation a proposition made -in a mode so insulting to his feelings as a man and an officer.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> To many of this class it must have been an agreeable release from the -rigid obligations of their commission. It offered a temporary retirement -from their duty to the state; and, in doing so, changed in some degree -the <i>character of that duty</i>. By signing the test they became volunteers -against men whose guilt they had to a certain extent shared, and had no -longer, to support their minds in so trying a situation, that plea of indispensable -necessity which their commission imposed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> This was the substance of the order that I recommended to be issued -at this period, the principle of which has been so arraigned by the Government -of Fort St. George. A copy of this order is inserted in the Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> I might fill a volume if I were to enter into any general reasoning on -the vital wound given to military subordination by this measure. The -relation of the private soldier to the subaltern has been well termed the -key-stone of the arch: an army may survive any other change; but to -disturb that relation, is to dissolve the whole: here begins the obedience -of the many to the few. In civil society, this problem appears of difficult -solution: but there, it is the obedience of the dispersed and disarmed -many; it is rare, and in well regulated communities almost unfelt. In -military bodies it is the hourly obedience, even to death, of the armed -and embodied many. The higher links which bind subalterns to their -superiors, and these to one chief, are only the obedience of the few to the -fewer, and these fewer to one. These relations are easily intelligible. -Honour, and obvious interest, are sufficient to account for these: and -any injury they sustain can be repaired. But the obedience of the whole -body of soldiers to their immediate officers, is that which forms an army, -and cannot be disturbed without the utmost danger of total destruction. -It was upon this act of the French Assembly that Burke observed, "They -have begun by a most terrible operation; they have touched the central -point, about which particles that compose armies are at repose; they -have destroyed the principle of obedience in the great essential critical -link between the officer and the soldier, just where the chain of military -subordination commences, and on which the whole of that system depends." -Sir George Barlow, it has been forcibly remarked, could discover -no other mode of suppressing a <i>rebellion</i> of officers than by exciting -a <i>mutiny</i> of <i>soldiers</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> 1794 and 1795.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> There can be no doubt of the truth of the observation which a great and -well-informed statesman formerly made upon this question. "The European -character in India" (Lord Melville observes in one of his letters -to the Court of Directors) "cannot be raised too high. If the natives -should be accustomed to look upon persons in the British service with -indifference and contempt, they will rapidly annihilate our Empire -there, and with it the very few Europeans by whom that country is -held in subjection." If this is true of Europeans in general, and our -Indian subjects, with what particular force must it apply to the relations -between the sepoy and his European commander?</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> The most violent even among the officers were so alarmed at the evil -this impression must produce to their country, that they carefully avoided, -till the last extremity, any mention of it to the natives under their command: -not, I am satisfied, from any fear of failing in their efforts to -debauch them from their duty, but from a deep sense of the danger of such -a communication: and those who believe that the defeat of this confederacy -through the means adopted will for ever prevent the occurrence of a -similar evil, should recollect, that it is just as likely to have an opposite -effect, and to render that evil, if brought on by similar causes, far more -dangerous. The European officers may, in their next quarrel with their -local Government, be taught by this failure to league with the native -officers, and to hold out advantages to them that will secure their most -zealous co-operation; and such a conspiracy would lose India. It is -dangerous even to hold an opinion that this Empire can be preserved by -any means but the action of a wise, temperate, and just Government, -which, though firm and powerful, must rule its British subjects with the -greatest attention to those habits and principles which are, from the form -and character of the constitution under which they are born, inherent in -their nature, and which can never be disregarded or offended without a -danger of sedition or convulsion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> As a proof of this, the following fact will suffice. At the period the -test was promulgated, a direct correspondence, in the native language, -was opened by the chief civil and military officers of Government with the -native officers. This was equally maintained with those corps, the European -officers of whom remained firm in their duty, as others; and a respectable -Company's officer, who had signed the test, and was commanding -a corps at Madras, (on his senior subahdar bringing him letters of this -description, which he had received,) made a representation of the circumstance; -but was reprimanded for doing so, and told it was a general -rule, from which it was not deemed proper to make any deviation. If it -had been desirable to make any communications in the native languages -to the men, such could assuredly have been forwarded to the European -officer in command, and the principles of military discipline observed; -but an observance of the general rule was the point to which <i>importance -was attached</i>, even in a case where the operation was <i>admitted</i> to be baneful, -and consequently where the more <i>limited</i> that was, the better for the -public interests.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Burke.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> These are not sentiments formed on a contemplation of the result of -the disturbances. I presented a similar picture of their situation to the -deluded officers at Masulipatam, and circulated a letter containing all the -substance of these reflections to the army previous to the occurrence of -any deliberate opposition to Government. Vide Appendix: Letter to -Lieutenant-Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Leod.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Lord Minto.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Vide Lord Minto's dispatch.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> General Maitland, late Governor of Ceylon.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> These words have been, in the course of the discussion regarding the disturbances -at Madras, as they were during their existence, greatly distorted -from their simple and plain meaning. <i>Concession</i>, I conceive, is to grant -the original and substantial objects of the demands made by the mutinous -army. To have restored the tent contract, to have promised an effort to -obtain an equalization of their allowances with the officers of Bengal, -would have been concessions: but if the exercise of a generous clemency, -in pardoning those who had offended in a moment of general insanity, and -to have held out hope to others of even deeper guilt, be deemed <i>concessions</i> -which a Government <i>cannot make</i>, there can be no such thing as conciliation -<i>in act</i>: and as to the profession of kindness and consideration, when the -conduct observed by the ruling power is inflexible and severe in its -measures, it can have no effect but that of aggravating men's feelings into -greater crime.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> The whole power was in the commanding officers of the sepoy battalion, -and the native officers had much greater influence than the European -subalterns of the corps: <i>the latter were not even attached to companies</i>. -It has been the labour of near twenty years to supersede the effects of this -system, which was deemed bad, and to transfer the influence formerly -enjoyed by the native officers to the European: and the eagerness with -which the native officers grasped at a prospect of reviving their power, -though it might have had a favourable operation for Government under -that desperate expedient to which they had resort, must have given rise -to dangerous feelings, and produced jealousy and distrust in that important -link between the European and native officers, where complete confidence -and cordiality is most essential to our safety.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Disturbances in Bengal in 1794 and 1795.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Lord Teignmouth.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Lord Melville.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> William the Third, and Demosthenes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> See the letters to Lord Wellesley and Sir A. Wellesley, p. 64, 65.</p></div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - - -<h2><a name="PART_II" id="PART_II">PART II.</a></h2> - -<p class="center">A<br /> -NARRATIVE<br /> -OF THE<br /> -CONDUCT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL MALCOLM<br /> -DURING THE<br /> -<i>DISTURBANCES IN THE MADRAS ARMY</i>. -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> - - -<h2>A NARRATIVE, &c.</h2> - - -<p>When the first violent agitation appeared in the coast -army I was at Bombay, in charge of a force destined for -service in the Gulf of Persia. A part of this force was -composed of Madras troops; and it became my peculiar -care to prevent, as far as could be effected by the influence -of reason and discipline, any contagion from spreading -among those under my command. That I succeeded in -this object is chiefly to be ascribed to the excellent character -of the officers of this force, and to the distance at -which they were from the scene of agitation. From what -I heard before I left Bombay, on the 1st of May 1809, of -the transactions on the coast, and the perfect knowledge I -had of the character of the Governor of Fort St. George, I -early apprehended the most unhappy result; and on the -18th of April 1809, I wrote to Lord Minto in the following -terms:—</p> - -<p>"We hear every day the most exaggerated reports -from Madras; but matters are, I fear, in a very bad -state. It is said a Memorial has been sent to your Lordship -for the removal of Sir George Barlow. I can -hardly credit this, though stated on very respectable -authority. I know that there is a personal irritation -against him, which exceeds all bounds; and this, however -unjust and indefensible, will make it almost impossible -for him to adjust matters by any means short -of coercion: and I trust in God such will not be found -necessary; for even success would not prevent the ruinous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -effects with which any measure of violence would -be attended. I cannot but think the great majority are -yet to be reclaimed to their duty; and I should think -one principal means of effecting this, would be your -Lordship's presence at Madras: and assuredly there -never was an occasion on which the active exertion of -all the great powers lodged in your Lordship's hands -was more necessary to the welfare of the state."</p> - -<p>The impressions upon my mind at this moment will be -still more forcibly shown by the following extract from a -letter to the Marquis Wellesley, of the same date as that -to Lord Minto, and upon the same subject:—</p> - -<p>"Both Lord Minto and the Commander-in-Chief of -India should come to Madras; or, at all events, Lord -Minto. Whatever justice may be on the part of Sir -George Barlow, it will be ten times more difficult for -him to settle the question than any other; for the degree -of personal dislike which all ranks and classes have of -him, is not to be described. This may be, and I dare -say is, very indefensible: but it exists, and cannot be -changed; and the safety of the state should not be -thrown into hazard, if that hazard can be avoided by -the adoption of any measures that do not compromise -its dignity, or permanently weaken its authority. I am -quite satisfied of the purity and rectitude of Sir George -Barlow's character. The public never had a more -zealous or more laborious servant; he is devoted to his -duty, and has no enjoyment beyond that of performing -it; but his system is cold and inflexible, and proceeds -in its course without the slightest attention to the feelings -of those on whom it is to operate; and the present -distracted state of affairs at Madras is, I fear, a <i>comment</i>, -and <i>a melancholy one</i>, upon the result of <i>such systems</i>. -All the reforms which Sir George Barlow thought it his -duty to make, might have been made without giving rise -to any serious discontent, if he had proceeded with that -caution and that attention to the temper of the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -which the situation in which he found the army required. -They were in a state of great irritation when he arrived; -and he was, from his reputation as a <i>reformer</i> and a -<i>retrencher</i>, received with prejudices. The authority -which should have controlled the army, acted a contrary -part, and consequently made their ebullitions more to -be dreaded. All these were subjects worthy of consideration; -and relaxation from a severe system, till an -insubordinate spirit was somewhat subdued, and the -ruling authority fortified, would have not merely been -warranted, but have been wise. At all events, the -means of suppressing a disposition to violence should -have been correctly calculated, before it was provoked -to action. This, I fear, has not been the case; and it -is most difficult to discover any means by which such a -general spirit of discontent, as that which now exists, -can be repressed. As it is unmixed with any thing like -disaffection to the country, it will probably, if met with -a firm and dignified spirit of conciliation, correct itself; -and then every plan should be adopted that can prevent -the recurrence of so dangerous an evil."</p> - -<p>The following is the concluding paragraph of a long -letter, dated the 16th of April 1809, which I wrote to Lord -Wellington, on the same subject.</p> - -<p>"I am yet very imperfectly informed of what has -occurred. I shall soon know all. I proceed in a few -days to Madras. <i>Had I been there at an earlier stage -of this affair, I might have done good; but that expectation -is over</i>: matters are too far gone; and there is -too great irritation on the minds of all parties, to give -hopes of reconciliation. You know Sir George Barlow: -he is a highly respectable public servant. His principles -of action are all right and correct; but his -measures are often ill-timed, and consequently unfortunate. -He generally leaves altogether out of the question, -that which would engage the chief attention of an -abler ruler,—<i>men's minds</i>: and though his cold system<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -appears excellent in an abstract and general view, it -often proves mischievous in its operation. He has -another great fault, which looks so like an excellence at -first glance, as to deceive most: he is perfectly inflexible -with regard to every thing that he deems a -principle or rule. Now this is good on most occasions, -but on some it is the height of folly; for, in the endeavor -to do a little good, are we justified in hazarding -a world of mischief?"</p> - -<p>Such were my sentiments, and such the view I took of -the situation of affairs on the coast, before I left Bombay, -from which I sailed on the 1st of May, and arrived at -Madras on the 17th of that month. I was received by -Sir George Barlow with even more than his usual kindness. -He seemed to expect my personal efforts would aid greatly -in allaying any little agitation that remained; for, at this -moment, he was decidedly of opinion that the orders of -the 1st of May had completely settled every thing that was -serious, and that what appeared to remain, was merely the -reaction of that seditious spirit which he had subdued. -After a very few days' residence at Madras I became satisfied -of the extent and danger of this error, and I laboured -incessantly to convince Sir George Barlow that he was -mistaken, and that a new, more extensive, and violent confederacy, -than that which he had conquered, was in progress; -the object of which was to obtain the repeal of the -orders of the 1st of May. His unwillingness to believe this -fact may be conceived, when I state, that he would not -admit the conduct of the subsidiary force at Hyderabad, -who, in a public address, disclaimed the compliment he -had paid their fidelity, to be evidence of its truth.</p> - -<p>I was not discouraged by that strong disinclination -which I observed in Sir George Barlow to credit every information -I gave him upon this subject, but continued to -press upon him the urgency of the case, and to entreat -him to adopt measures calculated to remedy so desperate -and general an evil, before it had attained that maturity to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -which it was fast approaching. The great and generous -object was, I said, to save, not to destroy, a body of brave -and meritorious, though infatuated men, who were rushing -upon their own ruin. They had (I not once, but a hundred -times repeated to Sir George Barlow,) a more serious -quarrel than that with Government, they had quarrelled -with themselves; and, unless he could adopt some measure -that would restore them to their own good opinion, every -attempt to establish order and subordination would be -vain, as they were goaded on to further guilt by a torturing -sense of that into which they had already plunged. -On being, at one of these conferences, desired by Sir George -Barlow to suggest what I thought would promote this end, -I proposed (if the expedient had his approbation,) to draw -up an address to him from the Company's officers on -direct opposite principles to those seditious papers that I -knew were then in circulation; and to give, by this -measure, a shape to that feeling which still existed in the -army, but which was scattered, and, from having no -union, was repressed by the combined action of the discontented -and turbulent. This address was as follows:</p> - -<p>"We, the undersigned officers of the Madras establishment, -trust that the very extraordinary and unprecedented -situation in which we are placed by some recent -occurrences, will plead our excuse for an address which -has no object but that of vindicating ourselves, as a -body, from those serious imputations to which we conceive -it possible we may become liable, from the nature -of late proceedings in the army to which we belong; and -to assert our devoted allegiance to our King, our unalterable -attachment to our Country, and our consequent -respect and submission to the laws and acts of that local -Government under which we are placed, and whose -commands it is our duty, under all circumstances, to -obey, as those of a legitimate branch of the constitution -of our country.</p> - -<p>"It would be painful to retrace all those events which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -have led to the present unhappy state of feeling in the -army, and have compelled Government to those measures -which it has judged proper to adopt: we shall therefore -content ourselves with expressing our conviction, that, -however far they might have been carried by the warmth -of the moment, none of our brother officers who were -concerned in those proceedings which have been deemed -so reprehensible by Government, ever harboured an -idea in their minds that was irreconcileable to their -allegiance as subjects, or their duty as soldiers. Government -must be fully acquainted with the rise and -progress of all the proceedings to which we allude, and -can refer to its true cause any apparent excess, either -in expression or act, that may have marked the conduct -of any individuals: and it will, we are assured, separate -actions which have their motive in generous and honourable -though mistaken feeling, from any deliberate design -of showing a spirit of contumely and insubordination to -that authority which it is their duty to obey, and whose -orders they could never dispute, without a total sacrifice -of their characters as good soldiers and loyal subjects: -and we feel perfectly satisfied there is not one officer in -this army who would not sooner lose his life than forfeit -his claim to such cherished distinctions.</p> - -<p>"We cannot have a doubt but it must have been -with extreme reluctance that Government has adopted -the measures it has done, against those of our brother -officers who have more particularly incurred its displeasure, -from the forward share they took, or were -supposed to take, in the proceedings which have met -with its disapprobation: and though we never can presume -to question in any shape the acts of that Government -which it is our duty to obey, it is impossible for -us to contemplate the present situation of those officers -without sentiments of the deepest concern: and when -we reflect on the general high reputation, and the well-merited -distinction, which some of them have, by their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -valour and ability, obtained in the public service, we -should be unjust to the characters of our superiors both -in India and England, if we did not entertain a hope -that their case would meet with a favourable and indulgent -consideration. But we feel restrained from -dwelling upon this subject, as we are aware its very -mention might be deemed improper in an address, the -great and sole object of which is to correct misapprehension, -and to convey a solemn assurance of our continued -and unalterable adherence to the same principles -of loyalty and attachment to our King and Country, and -of respect and obedience to the Government we serve, -that have ever distinguished the army to which we belong."</p> - -<p>The object of this address was to reconcile men to themselves; -and it therefore ceded as much as was possible in -its expression to the predominant feelings of the moment; -but its principle was not to be mistaken: and the unqualified -and decided declaration which it contained, of attachment -and of implicit obedience to Government, must have -had the certain effect of separating all those by whom this -address was subscribed, from persons who cherished contrary -sentiments. But the great object of this measure was -to concentrate and embody the good feelings of the army; -to hoist a standard to which men could repair, whose -minds revolted at the proceedings then in progress, but -who were deterred by shame, fear of reproach, and want -of union, from expressing an open difference of opinion -from the more violent. I was assured at the moment that -I suggested this measure, of its partial success, and not -without some hopes that it would be general; but I perfectly -knew, that if the senior and more reflecting part of -the officers of the army signed an address that pledged -them to an active discharge of their duty to Government, -all danger of the remainder having recourse to desperate -extremes, was at an end; for the influence of the senior -part of the army over the native troops was decided; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -this open declaration would at once have drawn a line of -separation betwixt the moderate and reasonable, and the -turbulent, which would have deprived the leaders of the -latter of their chief source of strength, which obviously lay -in their being able to deceive the multitude they guided, -by persuading them that the cause was general<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a>, and that -many, whom prudence made reserved, would join them the -moment they ventured on a bolder line of action.</p> - -<p>In my anxiety to reconcile his mind to the adoption of -this measure, I more than once modified the expression of -the address; and softened, and in some instances struck -out, those passages which he seemed to think were most -objectionable. I also took every pains to satisfy his mind -that it should never be known he had been consulted on -the subject. It was my intention to endeavour to obtain -the high and honoured name of Colonel Close at the head -of this address; and after adding those of several other -officers of rank and estimation, whose sentiments I knew -would be favourable to such an object, to circulate it with -an appeal to the good sense of the whole army. Sir George -Barlow certainly hesitated regarding this measure, for he -kept the draft of the address two or three days, and then -returned it with a rejection of the expedient, grounded on -his dislike to the adoption of any step that was contrary to -the established rules of his Government; to his fear, that -receiving such an address in a favourable manner might in -some degree sacrifice<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> his dignity, and, by doing so, -weaken that authority to which he trusted for the settlement -of that partial spirit of discontent which still existed. -It was in vain that I argued that the common rules of Government -were adapted for common times, and that in -emergencies like the present, which presented nothing but -difficulties, those should be chosen which were likeliest to -effect the object at the least hazard to the state. All my -reasoning was ineffectual; and I was most reluctantly -compelled to abandon this project, from which I at that -moment expected great success. Every future event has -satisfied my mind I was not too sanguine. I conscientiously -believe, if it had been adopted, though numbers might, by -their obstinacy and violence, have merited and received -punishment, yet the large body of Company's officers on -the Madras establishment would have restored the character -of the army to which they belonged. The extremes -which have occurred, with all their baneful, and perhaps -irremediable consequences, would have been avoided; and -assuredly the prospect even of attaining such ends and of -averting such evils, was worth a slight departure from a -common rule, and might have justified some small deviation -from the rigid system pursued by the Government of -Madras.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> - -<p>To show in the most convincing light the correct view I -took at that moment of the actual state of affairs, and the -very opposite sentiments entertained by Sir George Barlow, -I shall here quote some passages from the private letters -that I wrote from the 3d to the 15th of June, (which includes -the whole of the period of which I am now speaking,) -to Lord Minto and his private secretary. The following -is a copy of my letter to Lord Minto of the 3d of -June.</p> - -<p>"I have delayed from day to day writing to your Lordship, -till I could inform myself of the real state of affairs -at this distracted Presidency; and I wish I could, in -discharging my duty towards you, confirm those impressions -which <i>I believe you have received</i>, of the -general good effect produced by the orders of the 1st -of May, and of the return of the officers of this Presidency -to the principles of good order and subordination. -The very contrary I believe to be the fact: and I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -satisfied that general spirit of discontent which has long -pervaded this army, had never more danger in it than -at this moment. I differ with Sir George Barlow (who -has behaved with the most flattering kindness to me, and -given me his complete<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> confidence,) upon this point; -but I have too good a reason to rely upon my sources -of information. Besides, can there be a greater indication -of this spirit than has been exhibited in the conduct -of the subsidiary force at Hyderabad? They have, -in an address to the whole army, disclaimed all title to -the thanks bestowed upon them, and publicly avowed, -that they not only shared the sentiments of the army, -as expressed in their former addresses, but felt deeply -for their brother officers, who had been arbitrarily suspended -for just and honourable actions, and were determined -to contribute to their support in a firm, legal, and -moderate manner. These are, as nearly as my memory -serves, the words of this address: but a copy has probably -been sent to your Lordship; as one has, I understand, -been received at head-quarters. Nothing can -exceed the present irritation: and it has, I am assured, -gone much greater lengths than Sir George Barlow can -bring himself to believe. I confess I am not without -some apprehension of misfortune: and however reluctant -my mind is to believe that men can ever be so desperate -as to forget their duty to their country, I cannot -resist evidence; and I certainly have seen what convinces -me that the most dangerous combinations are -formed, and conducted on principles entirely hostile to -order and good government. I have most frequent, -and indeed daily, communications with Sir George -Barlow upon this subject; and have not only given him -every information I possess, but every opinion I have -formed; and have the highest reason to be satisfied with -the manner in which my communications are received. -He is as satisfied as I am, that the best reliance which -Government has at this moment, is the remaining good -feeling of the army itself. We differ a little as to the -best means of bringing this into action. He is adverse -to every expedient that is <i>not in consistence with usage</i>. -I think that those means are best which will most speedily -effect the object in a manner that will be satisfactory to -the pride and loyal feelings of the great majority of the -army, and yet not compromise in the slightest degree -the dignity of Government. The irritation that has -been caused and kept up by those acts, which Government -has taken from private information or reports of -speeches at table, &c. is not to be conceived. The -most extreme emergency can only justify any public -authority opening such dangerous and suspicious channels, -and they should be closed the moment the danger -is past. At present I am satisfied, (and so is Sir George -Barlow,) it is better to incur any hazard than have further -resort to such unpopular and uncertain means of -detecting delinquency: and he is resolved to let military -law have its free course, in the conviction, that his best -chance of reclaiming a body of honourable though misguided -men, to their duty, is by showing he has not lost -confidence in them.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> -<p>"Sir George Barlow has hopes this agitation will subside<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> -of itself. I cannot think so. They are maddened -with a thousand reflections, and with none more than -the shame and ruin which their rash proceedings have -brought on some of the most popular of their brother -officers. They have, in fact, not only quarrelled with -Government, but with themselves; and such quarrels -are difficult to settle. Besides, they are secretly goaded -on by a thousand discontented men, who, defeated in -other objects, wish to throw this Government into confusion."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> -<p>On the 12th of June I again wrote to his lordship:</p> - -<p>"I wish I could say affairs here were in a better state; -but I cannot yet agree with Sir George Barlow that the -discontent is subsiding. Addresses have come from -every part of the army to the principal officers suspended -by the orders of the 1st of May, containing -assurances of support, &c. These, fortunately, have -not yet been brought under the eye of Government. I -say fortunately; because it would be impossible for Government, -in consistence with its past proceedings, to -pass such addresses unnoticed; and I should regret to -see it obliged to notice them at a moment when the good -sense and good feeling of the army seems lost, and the -whole appears under the influence of blind passion. Sir -George Barlow has put an end to all proceedings grounded -on private information, and has resolved to maintain that -dignified line which never stoops to suspicion, and makes -men worthy of confidence by boldly giving it to them. -<i>If this is persevered in</i>, it will do great good; for it will -excite into action the remaining good feeling of the -army, which, though dormant, must be considerable; -and which forms, at this moment, the great, if not the -only, strength of Government."</p> - -<p>And upon the 15th of June I wrote to his Lordship's son -and private secretary, Mr. John Elliott, as follows:</p> - -<p>"With regard to this army I have already written to -Lord Minto. I am satisfied he has never had a full idea -of the danger to which the public interests are exposed, -or I think he would have come to this spot. I am far -from meaning to state that Sir George Barlow has not -communicated all he knew or thought: but, in the first -place, I am satisfied he has been, generally speaking, -badly informed; and, in the next, he has been endeavouring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -to persuade himself that there was no danger, -and even now he tries to think every thing will subside; -though he knows (<i>for I have told him</i>) that papers of -the most objectionable nature are in circulation, and that -the most violent measures have been, and are, contemplated. -It is impossible to convey to men who are calm -and think rationally, any idea of the state of this army. -All the respectable men in it appear to suffer a set of -mad-headed boys to take the lead: and the greatest -merit I see any man claim, is that of being passive; -though all confess it is a period at which one step will -involve the country in all the horrors of a civil war: -and there are numbers (such is the insanity that has got -head,) that desire to accelerate that event.</p> - -<p>"You may be satisfied I would not even hint at a state -of affairs so shocking to contemplate, if I had not the -strongest grounds for what I state: but I have seen the -greater part of their correspondence, <i>and know, and have -informed Sir George Barlow</i>, of the extent to which -matters have proceeded, and of the increase of irritation -that has been lately produced: particularly by that ill-judged -and unmerited compliment to the force at Hyderabad, -who, from being moderate, have, with the -customary zeal of converts, become the most violent; -and would (but for the timely exercise of Colonel Montresor's -personal influence,) have forced a paper a few -days ago upon Government, which it must have noticed -most seriously; and that notice was expected by some -of the maddest to be the signal of some very violent measures. -This remonstrance, as I said before, has been -stopt; but there is, I fear, too much reason to conclude -others of the same character will be forwarded. I know -not whether Lord Minto is informed of all these circumstances; -but it is proper he should know them, as they -refer to one of the most serious dangers that can assail -the Empire under his charge. I enjoy Sir George Barlow's -fullest confidence upon this subject; but he has,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -I believe, <i>more congenial counsellors</i>, who are fonder of -maintaining the consistency of Government upon paper, -than of tranquillizing the minds of a meritorious and -honourable, though misguided body of men: but assuredly -every means should be adopted which human -wisdom can suggest, to reclaim them to temper and attachment, -provided always such means do not compromise -the strength and dignity of Government. Concessions -cannot be made to demand; but men may, perhaps, -by management, be reconciled to themselves and the -state by something short of concession. Sir George -Barlow has rather an exaggerated opinion of my personal -influence; and he thinks, I believe, it will effect -what I only expect from the united good feeling of the -army. I have, however, done all I can; and shall continue, -under all circumstances, my most ardent efforts in -the cause of good order and government."</p> - -<p>I heard, towards the end of June, of some extraordinary -proceedings that had taken place regarding the European -regiment stationed at Masulipatam, in consequence of a -dispute between the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding and -the officers of the corps. The substance of these proceedings<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> -may be given in a few words. Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes, the day after he joined the regiment (the 7th of -May), dined at the mess, where a toast was given, "The -friends of the army;" to which he objected, and proposed -it to be changed for one of less equivocal meaning—"The -Madras army." This was not assented to, and he -left the table. Next day he wrote an account of this circumstance -to head-quarters, but <i>desired it should not be -noticed</i>, as he expected an apology from those officers -whose conduct he considered as most disrespectful. The -moment his letter reached Madras, an order was transmitted, -directing Lieutenant David Forbes, who was said to -be the person who had given the toast, to proceed, at a -few hours' warning, to the Fort of Condapilly, a solitary -and far from healthy post, at the distance of forty miles, -and one at which there was not <i>one</i> man of the corps to -which he belonged. Lieutenant Maitland, who was reported -to have seconded the toast, was, by the same order, -deprived of his station of Quarter-Master. These measures, -combined with an imprudent declaration of Colonel -Innes, that the corps would be disbanded if a young officer -refused to accept the vacant station of Quarter-Master, -(by which probably it was only meant that that event might -be apprehended, if such a spirit of insubordination continued,) -threw the officers of the regiment into a great ferment, -and led to their making a representation to head-quarters, -earnestly soliciting the benefit of regular military -trial, and deprecating the disgrace to which they were exposed -from such punishments being inflicted, without the -slightest opportunity being given to individuals of vindicating -themselves from the private accusations made -against them.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> -<p>I was quite satisfied, from what I heard of those proceedings, -of which I have only given the outline, that they -were more than severe; and were calculated, in even ordinary -times, to produce much irritation; and I therefore -was not at all surprised at their aggravated effect at a -period of such general agitation. Soon after these events -had occurred, I was informed by Admiral Drury, that -he had, in consequence of an order from the Duke of -York, desiring all the men of his Majesty's regiments -employed as marines to be landed, applied to the Government -of Fort St. George for some men; and that a detachment -had been ordered from the regiment at Masulipatam, -for which a frigate and sloop of war were to sail that evening. -Many circumstances had made me, about this period, -very reluctant to press the attention of Sir George Barlow -to a danger, the existence of which he <i>appeared resolved</i> -not to believe; but I could not help, upon this occasion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -stating to his private secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, -all I thought upon the subject. The following is an -extract of my note to that confidential officer.</p> - -<p>"The great object at present, is not to agitate, in any -way, (if it can be avoided,) any of those questions which -have disturbed the temper of the army; and to restore -that, by every means short of concession, to its proper -tone. To effect this, we must trust in large points to -the action of the good feeling of the army itself, and -small questions will soon die of neglect. Now it occurs -to me, the ordering a large detachment of the European -regiment at this moment on board his Majesty's ships, is -liable to much misrepresentation, and is calculated to -increase discontent. This has not been usual; and, -after the conduct of the officers of the regiment, it will -be considered as a punishment: and if it is so, it will, -from its nature, have no good effect; for it will be referred -to a desire to divide a corps, which men will say -never could have arisen, if Government had been confident -in their obedience and attachment. The corps -itself will receive this order as an additional stigma on -their character; and, in the heated state they are in, I -should not be surprised if they went to greater extremities -than they already have gone; and, if the accounts -I have heard of their proceedings are correct, they -have been bolder in their expressions of discontent than -any corps in the service. All this is perhaps very -improbable; but still no man acquainted with the present -state of affairs can say it is impossible; and why -incur the most distant hazard of aggravating men's -feelings by a measure of such trifling consequence? -No man could, at this moment, have recommended, as -a political measure, such a wretched expedient as that -of dividing this corps in the manner proposed; and if -it is merely to comply with a requisition of the Admiral -for marines, he might take them, as has been the usage, -from any one of the King's regiments, or might go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -without, rather than give cause to misrepresentation at -such a moment. If all or any of the officers of the -European regiment merit punishment, let them be -punished in an open manner, agreeable to usage, and -my life upon the consequence: but to think of sending -one here, and one there<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a>, is only to show weakness, and -to give grounds to the wicked to circulate aggravated -reports, and to kindle the flame of discord and discontent. -Pardon this hasty note, and tear it<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a>. You will -understand what I mean perfectly. <i>Depend upon it, -it is trifles of this nature which merit all the attention of -Government at this moment.</i>"</p> - -<p>I did not receive any answer from Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay till next morning; when, after stating the hurry -that prevented him from writing, and the causes which -had made Government order this detachment, he states -his belief, grounded on his knowledge of Masulipatam as -a station, that there will be a competition between both -officers and men to proceed as marines; and concludes by -saying, "I shall only add further, that there is no guarding -against wilful misrepresentations, and that those -who are obliged to act, must, in such cases as the present, -be satisfied with the uprightness of their intentions."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> - -<p>Every thing that I had foreseen occurred. The arrival -of the orders for the marines occasioned an instant mutiny -of the garrison of Masulipatam, and precipitated that -crisis which it was of such great consequence to avoid. -Sir George Barlow felt this occurrence as a serious evil; -and, in a long conversation I had with him upon the -subject, he expressed the extremest anxiety to prevent -those bad consequences which were to be expected to -result, by the adoption of every moderate and conciliatory -means that he could use, without a compromise of the -authority and dignity of Government. He told me he -had rejected all the violent measures that had been proposed, -of coercing the garrison into submission by the -employment of his Majesty's troops; as such, he was -convinced, would cause a general rupture, which he still -hoped would be avoided; and which, at all events, it was -most important to retard. His anxiety on this occasion -was much increased by the receipt, at the same period, of -a highly improper address from the officers of the subsidiary -force at Hyderabad; and he desired my opinion on -the best course to be pursued on so alarming an emergency. -I advised a line that appeared to me likely to arrest the -progress of men standing on a precipice of guilt. Every -hour gained gave time for the operation of reason; and if -that should fail, it was still of consequence that Government -should be more prepared than it was at that moment -for the occurrence of a rupture with its army. On these -grounds, I recommended that an officer of rank should be -sent to Masulipatam to assume the command, and that he -should be appointed president of a committee to inquire -into the causes of the mutiny, and report their proceedings -to Government, <i>who would, when the information upon -this subject was complete, adopt measures for the prosecution -and punishment of the most guilty</i>. In this proceeding -there was an appearance of great temper and moderation; -no serious sacrifice of dignity was made; and time -(which, for reasons before stated, appeared the great -object,) was gained: and all those effects which must have -attended the detachment of a force against the garrison, -or the equally unwise proceeding of attempting (before -either reason had time to operate, or the means of coercion -were prepared) to arrest or confine any individual, were -avoided. On Sir George Barlow's expressing his assent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -to my suggestions, I offered, in the warmth of my zeal, to -proceed to Masulipatam. He accepted this offer with -great apparent pleasure; and he evidently thought that -the appointment of an officer who was known to enjoy his -confidence, and who had so publicly professed a conciliatory -disposition, proclaimed the character of the act: and -the nomination of Lieutenant-Colonel William Berkley -and Major Evans to aid me, (two officers who are now no -more, but who, while they lived, enjoyed in an eminent -degree the love and respect of all ranks in the army to -which they belonged,) was a full confirmation (if any had -been wanted) of the nature of this measure<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a>. If it had -been possible for me to have mistaken Sir George Barlow -in the conversation I had with him on the morning he -received this intelligence, I was completely confirmed -by what passed in the evening after I had been in the -fort, and, in the office of the commander of the forces, -(General Gowdie,) had a discussion with some of the -officers of the general staff upon the whole of this subject. -One of those officers, who was known to enjoy the chief -share of Sir George Barlow's confidence, stated at this -conference, that movements of corps would be immediately -ordered that would place the native troops under the complete<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -check of his Majesty's regiments; and that the -Governor should, in his opinion, have no hesitation in -throwing himself at once upon the King's army. I could -not but treat such sentiments with some warmth, as being -altogether incompatible with that ardent wish which was -professed of reclaiming the Company's officers to their -duty. The very knowledge, I observed to General -Gowdie, of such sentiments being held and declared, was -in itself sufficient to drive men to extremes. The General -fully acquiesced in my opinion. Another officer of the -staff, who was also a principal adviser of the Governor, -said upon this occasion, that he understood I was a friend -to concessions that would degrade the Government; that -his advice had been, to send a detachment to attack -Masulipatam; and that unless I could, the moment I went -there, send Major Storey and the other ringleaders under -a guard to Madras, evil, instead of good, must result from -my mission. I repelled this gentleman's attack with a -warmth that produced interference to prevent a personal -dispute, and concluded by telling him, that I was now -aware of the true character of those sentiments entertained -by the persons who had the chief influence over Sir George -Barlow's mind; and that, with that knowledge, I should -certainly not proceed to Masulipatam, as I saw the probability -of measures being adopted, in my absence, of a -directly opposite character to those I was desired to execute; -and the only consequence I should anticipate, was -failure and loss of character. Some explanations were -made, but none that dispelled the alarm I had taken at the -sentiments which I had just heard. I went immediately -to the Governor, to whom I mentioned all that had passed: -and I can most solemnly affirm, that Sir George Barlow -gave me, at this second conference, every assurance that -could be given to satisfy my mind. He declared he would -not listen to any such violent counsels<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> as I had heard; -that he gave me his entire confidence, and vested me with -the fullest discretion to act in all respects as I thought -proper, in my endeavours to reclaim the deluded men, to -whom I was proceeding, to reflection and duty; and that -he was satisfied the honour of his Government was -perfectly safe in my hands. Not one word was mentioned, -at this conference, regarding my commencing my -proceeding by an appeal to the men, or by confining those -officers who had been most active in the mutiny. It was, -indeed, evident that the first of these acts would have -caused a desperation in the minds of the officers, that must -have led to that instant rupture which <i>it was the object of -my mission to avoid</i>; and, with regard to the second, a -military court of inquiry had been ordered to investigate -the whole of the proceedings at Masulipatam, chiefly, if -not exclusively, with the view of enabling Government to -gain time, without loss of reputation; and any precipitate -proceedings against the ringleaders would have been an -obvious sacrifice of that great object.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<p>Such were the sentiments of Sir George Barlow at the -moment I was deputed to Masulipatam: at least such were -the impressions which all his observations made upon my -mind. He determined at this moment to return the -address from Hyderabad, and to write a letter to the commanding -officer of that force in terms calculated to show -his forbearance, and indeed to evince to the violent and -misguided officers of that station the same spirit of temperate -and conciliatory disposition as had led him to depute -me to Masulipatam. He desired me to make a memorandum -of what I conceived he should write upon this occasion. -I instantly drew out the following.</p> - -<p>"Substance of a letter to the commanding officers at -Hyderabad and Jaulnah.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Expressing the great regret and disapprobation with -which Government has received a Memorial from the -officers of the subsidiary force, soliciting it to rescind -the orders of the 1st of May.</p> - -<p>"Pointing out in a calm but forcible manner the -dangerous tendency of such addresses, and the total impossibility -of complying with such a request; stating that -Government is only fulfilling a sacred duty when it exhorts -the officers who have signed and forwarded these -papers to reflect most seriously upon the consequences -which a perseverance in such measures must produce. -It owes this warning and exhortation to a body of men, -who, acting under warm and erroneous impressions, -have for a moment forgot what is due to their own high -character, and to that Government under which they -are placed. The motives of this expostulation with the -a officers of the subsidiary force will not be misunderstood; -but it is necessary that they should distinctly -know, that while Government can and does make every -allowance for that momentary delusion and irritation -which a variety of circumstances have been calculated -to produce, that it will never either abandon or compromise -its authority; and that it will, if compelled to -act, maintain, under every extreme and at every hazard, -those principles of obedience and subordination, without -which, it is satisfied, neither it nor the army can -exist."</p> - -<p>With this memorandum Sir George Barlow was perfectly -pleased, and desired me to give it the form of a letter, -and deliver it to Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, that it -might be dispatched next day<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a>. I did so, and carried -the copy of the memorandum with me to Masulipatam, -for which place I sailed on the 2d of July 1809, the whole -of the circumstances to which I have alluded having taken -place on the day preceding.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> -<p>I landed at Masulipatam on the 4th of July; and the -journal of my proceedings at that place, with the extracts -of my letters to Sir George Barlow, General Gowdie, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, and of the letters I received -from the latter officer (all of which form numbers of the -Appendix), will give the clearest and most faithful account -of the manner in which I executed the arduous task -that an imprudent, but I hope not an illaudable, zeal led -me to undertake. During my residence at that place I -continued active in my endeavours to disseminate, by letters -to different quarters of the army, such sentiments as I -thought calculated to counteract the poison of those -inflammatory papers that were then in circulation: and -the extract from my letter addressed to a respectable field -officer (Lieutenant-Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Leod), under date the 20th -of July 1809, which forms a number of the Appendix, will -show the complete and just view I took at that period of -the result of the violent proceedings of the army.</p> - -<p>I left Masulipatam on the night of the 22d of July, and -arrived at Madras on the morning of the 26th, having -travelled two hundred and ninety miles in little more than -three days. I knew of the flagrant act of disobedience -which the subsidiary force at Hyderabad had committed, -in refusing to allow the 2d battalion of the 10th regiment -to march to Goa, to which station it had been ordered in -prosecution of the plan for dividing the native corps so as -to place them under the check of his Majesty's regiments<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a>. -I thought it probable that this event would give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -rise to some strong measures on the part of Government, -and I was most anxious to communicate all the information -I had collected before any such were adopted: but, though -no danger could have resulted from delay, the Governor, -who knew I would be at Madras on the morning of -the 26th, did not deem it necessary to wait even for a -few hours, though strongly urged to do so by Major-General -Gowdie<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a>, the commander of the forces; and -the moment of my arrival was that of the execution of -the orders of the 26th of July for the separation of the -officers from their men. I did not see Sir George Barlow -till next day: and the cold manner in which I was received, -the slighting view which I saw was taken of my efforts at -Masulipatam, and the reserve maintained, not only by him, -but by others, left me without a doubt that I was no longer -honoured with his confidence; which I was now, indeed, -convinced I had never possessed but in a very limited -degree. I therefore resolved, in future, to confine myself -to an obedience of any orders I might receive, and no -longer to expose myself to that failure and disgrace which -must always attend the person who acts as a confidential -agent, on delicate and important occasions, to one with -whose proceedings his mind does not accord, whose confidence -he does not enjoy, and of whose plans he is but -imperfectly informed. But, before I proceed to explain -the subsequent part I took in these transactions, it will be -proper to offer some remarks on the observations made in -the letter, under date 10th September, 1809, from the Government -of Fort St. George to the Secret Committee of the -Court of Directors, respecting my conduct at Masulipatam. -The following is an extract from the letter from the Governor -of Fort St. George upon this subject.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> - -<p>"On receiving intelligence of the mutiny, we appointed -Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, in whose zeal and talents -we entertained the fullest confidence, to the command -of the Madras European regiment, and the garrison of -Masulipatam, for the purpose of re-establishing the -authority of Government over the troops, inquiring into -the causes of the mutiny, and placing the most guilty of -the offenders under arrest. Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm -was not furnished with any written instructions: it was -left to his discretion to adopt such measures as circumstances -might render advisable, with the view to the -accomplishment of the objects of his deputation.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm immediately proceeded -by sea to Masulipatam. On his arrival he found that -the officers of the garrison had formed themselves into -a committee, in which every officer had a voice. The -greatest anarchy and confusion prevailed; and it was -with difficulty that he prevailed on the officers to -acknowledge his authority.</p> - -<p>"As it never was in the contemplation of the Government -to disband the European regiment, it was expected -that Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm would have taken the -earliest opportunity to communicate to the men a distinct -and public disavowal of that intention on the part of the -Government, and have employed the most strenuous -exertions to recall the men to a sense of their duty, by -impressing upon their minds the degree of guilt and -danger in which their officers, for purposes entirely personal -to themselves, had endeavoured to involve them. -It was also expected that Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, -by establishing his influence and authority over the -troops composing the garrison, would have secured -their obedience, and by that measure have deprived -the officers of the power of prosecuting their designs, -and brought the leaders to trial for their mutinous conduct.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm appears, however, to -have adopted a course of proceedings entirely different -from that which we had in view in deputing him to -Masulipatam. He abstained from making any direct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -communication to the men: and when we authorized -him, with the view of detaching the troops from the -cause of their officers, to proclaim a pardon to the -European and native soldiers for the part which they -might have taken in the mutiny, he judged it proper to -withhold the promulgation of the pardon, from an apprehension -(as stated in his letter to our President, dated -the 18th of July) of irritating the minds of the European -officers, and driving them to despair.</p> - -<p>"To this apparent unreasonable forbearance and attention -to the feelings of the officers, who had, by their -acts of violence and aggression, forfeited all claims to -such consideration, may, we conceive, be ascribed -Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's failure in the establishment -of any efficient control over the garrison: and he -appears to have been principally occupied, during the -period of his residence at Masulipatam, in negociations -with the disorderly committees; calculated, in our -opinion, to compromise rather than establish his authority; -and in fruitless attempts to induce them, by -argument, to return to their duty, and abandon the -criminal combination in which they had engaged. -Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's reasons for pursuing this -line of conduct, and for recommending to us the -adoption of conciliatory and temporizing measures, are -detailed in his letters to our President, dated the 4th, -5th, and 6th of July. In those letters he states, that -the officers at Masulipatam had received assurances -from most of the military stations of the army, applauding -their conduct, and promising them effectual support; -that the whole army were united in a resolution to -oppose the authority of Government; that there was -not a single corps, from Ganjam to Cape Comorin, which -was not prepared to break out into open rebellion. The -measures recommended by Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, -as constituting, in his opinion, the only means of averting -the most dreadful calamities, consisted of a modified<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -repeal of the orders of the 1st of May; the restoration -to the service, and to their appointments, of all the -officers whom we had found it necessary to suspend or -remove; with an intimation to the army, that their -claims to Bengal allowances would be brought to the -notice of the Honourable the Court of Directors. Lieutenant-Colonel -Malcolm returned to Madras, on the -arrival of Major-General Pater at Masulipatam to assume -the command of the northern division of the army, -having succeeded no further in accomplishing the objects -of his mission, than in preventing the officers from -adopting any flagrant acts of outrage to authority during -his residence at Masulipatam."</p> - -<p>The first charge is hardly less than a direct accusation -of disobedience of orders. It is stated, that as it never -was in the contemplation of Government to disband the -European regiment, it was expected I would have taken -the earliest opportunity to communicate to the men a distinct -and public disavowal of that intention. In the succeeding -paragraph I am accused of having adopted a -course of proceeding entirely different from what Government -had in view in deputing me; and I am positively -charged <i>with</i> "<i>having abstained from making any direct -communication to the men</i>." My letter to Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay, of the 18th July, is a number of this -dispatch, and has been printed with it. This letter contains -the following passage: "You will satisfy Sir George -Barlow, that one of the first things that I did, after I -came on shore, was to satisfy the minds of the officers, -and, through them, of the men, of the intentions of Government -in ordering a party of marines from the corps; -<i>and you will see, by the enclosed extract from my -Journal, that I took the first good opportunity that -offered of</i> <span class="smcap">STATING THIS FACT</span> <i>in the most public and -impressive manner to the whole regiment</i>." I may ask, -with great surprise and some indignation, Why the extract -alluded to in this letter was not transmitted to the Honourable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -the Court of Directors? This extract was a copy of -my speech made to the European regiment under arms on -the 15th of July. The whole of this speech is in my -Journal<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a>. The following is a part of it.</p> - -<p>"I consider it my duty to declare to you at this -moment, that it never was in the contemplation of Government -to <i>disband</i> or disperse this corps; and that it -never meant to employ any officer or man of the regiment -in any manner, or upon any service, but such as was -suited to the character of British soldiers; and which it, -of course, conceived both officers and men would be forward -to proceed upon."</p> - -<p>Is it possible that any disavowal could be more distinct, -or made in a more proper and military manner? Yet I -am directly charged with <i>having abstained</i> from making -any such communication to the <i>men</i>! It is possible a -charge so completely unfounded may have originated in -mistake or neglect: but where there exists, as on the present -occasion, an evident desire to criminate; where the -secret nature of the blow afforded no opportunity of defence; -such mistake, even if proved, neither can nor ought -to disarm honest resentment. It is too much to have a -character, that has been obtained by the struggle of a -whole life, assailed in such a manner. But the knowledge -which the Governor of Fort St. George had of my proceeding, -upon this point, was not limited to this communication -through Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay. The day -after my return to Madras, I read to him the whole of my -Journal. It is true he did not pay much attention to it: -and the little value he attached to the detail of my proceedings -was the cause of my not loading my public report -with a copy of its contents. I had neither received at that -moment, nor at any subsequent period, the slightest -official notice of even dissatisfaction; and the probability -of my conduct being misrepresented to my superiors in -England in the manner it has been, never once entered into -my imagination.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> -<p>In answer to the charge, "That I did not employ my -strenuous exertions to recall the men to a sense of their -duty, by impressing upon their minds the degree of -guilt and danger in which their officers, for purposes -entirely personal to themselves, had endeavoured to involve -them," I must reply in the most solemn manner, -that I was not withheld from acting in the manner the -Government here state they expected I would, merely -because I had no orders to do so, but because I considered -that such a proceeding would have had an operation -directly opposite to all Sir George Barlow's intentions, as -expressed when I left Madras. His desire then was, (as -has already been shown,) to conciliate and reclaim the -officers of the Company's army, not to render them desperate. -I was particularly instructed to point their views -to England, to persuade them by every effort to await the -decision of the Honourable the Court of Directors, and to -prevent their precipitating themselves into a guilt from -which they could never retreat. Sir George Barlow appeared -satisfied I could effect this through the influence of -my general character, and the power of reason, aided by -the justice of the cause I had to support: and I most -solemnly affirm, that if the Government of Madras desire -to insinuate (as the substance of these passages in their -letter would imply) that I acted contrary to the instructions -of Sir George Barlow, communicated to me in private, that -the charge is not founded in fact: and it is fortunate for -me that the subsequent communications made by Sir George -Barlow's Secretary, and all the circumstances of this case, -completely corroborate and establish the truth of that -unqualified assertion, which I have deemed it due to my -character to make on this point. A letter from Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a>, dated the 12th of July, and written by -the Governor's order, in reply to my communications from -Masulipatam of the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July, in which I -had required further orders, repeats nearly the same sentiments -in the same language Sir George Barlow had used -before I left Madras. "You cannot," he observes, -"render a more acceptable service to the public interests, -than by the exertion of your influence and ability in -keeping the garrison of Masulipatam firm to their duty, -and <i>satisfying the officers</i> that it is not less for their interests -than it is consistent with their duty, to await the -decision of the authorities in England on the several -questions which have occasioned so much agitation in -the minds of a considerable portion of the army of this -establishment."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> -<p>The same officer wrote to me a short letter on the 20th of -July, in which he repeats these sentiments, and concludes -by stating, that the greatest service I could render my -country, in the actual situation of affairs, was "to keep -the garrison in order, and bring the <i>minds of the officers -back to reason</i>."</p> - -<p>I was authorized, through the same channel, to proceed -with the inquiry, (if I thought it advisable,) without waiting -for my colleagues, reporting <i>the result, for the orders -of Government</i>: and a discretion was vested in me to -grant a pardon to the non-commissioned officers and privates -of the garrison, if I should judge it necessary: but -this was evidently in reference to the possible occurrence of -a case of extreme emergency, which Colonel Barclay stated -the Governor felt assured would not arise.</p> - -<p>It will certainly not occur, on a perusal of what I have -stated, that there existed the slightest ground for the Government -of Fort St. George indulging those expectations -which they have declared they did in their letter to the -Secret Committee. Is it possible that they could, at the -moment, have expected that an officer, instructed as I was, -should have commenced his proceedings with "strenuous -exertions to excite the men against officers," whom he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -was directed to reclaim to their duty by the efforts of -reason and argument? And when he had been commanded -to carry on a military inquiry, in order to ascertain -the nature and degree of the crimes of different individuals, -was it reasonable to suppose he would disappoint the very -object<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> for which that was instituted, by a premature -attempt to seize and bring ringleaders to trial, on whose -guilt he was expressly told "it was his duty to report, -and to await the orders of Government?"</p> - -<p>It is sufficiently obvious, from what has been stated, that -when the Government of Fort St. George wrote those paragraphs -(which have been quoted) to the Secret Committee, -the object was more to preserve a character of consistence, -than to give a correct view of the actual situation of affairs -at the moment of the occurrence of those events which are -described. The Government, in a subsequent part of the -same dispatch, gives a more just account of the character -of this proceeding. "We had hitherto," they observe, -"continued to expect, that the firmness of our measures, -and the good sense of the officers of the army, would -have finally succeeded in restoring order: but we were -convinced, by the failure of Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's -mission, by the addresses received from Hyderabad, -and by the intelligence received from other -quarters, that it was necessary to calculate on the possibility -of the officers proceeding to the last extremities -of rebellion; and to consider the means of preventing, -or finally of meeting, that arduous state of things. -The moderate course of conduct pursued by the Government, -and which was founded on a favourable opinion -of the loyalty of the army, had failed; and we were -reduced to the alternative of making the concession -demanded by the officers, or subduing them by force."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> -<p>Is it not evident from this paragraph alone, if other -evidences were wanting, that the Government considered -my mission to Masulipatam as a proceeding which was -calculated, by its moderation, to reclaim the officers to -their duty; and in no degree whatever related to that -course of measures which was subsequently adopted? A -most desperate remedy was ultimately applied to the -existing evils: and in having recourse to the expedient of -exciting the men against their officers, and in impairing -the strength if not destroying that link by which almost -all are agreed we hold India, the Government of Fort -St. George might perhaps be justified by the emergency -of the moment; and the controlling authorities in England -may be satisfied that this operation, however terrible, was -necessary and politic; but assuredly (even if all this is -granted) no person can believe that any authority but -Government could adopt such a measure. It appears too -much to have expected, that an officer sent to moderate the -minds of a body of officers, and to reclaim them to their -duty by argument and reason, should (<i>acting upon his own -discretion, and without orders</i>) have adopted this desperate -expedient; and that he should have commenced his -efforts to persuade the officers to return to their duty, by -exciting their men to throw off their authority.</p> - -<p>The Government of Madras proceed to state, that it -ascribes my failure to an apparent unreasonable and unwise -forbearance and attention to the feelings of officers who -had, by their acts of violence and aggression, forfeited all -claims to consideration; that my time was occupied in -negotiations with disorderly committees, and in fruitless -attempts to bring officers back to their duty by argument. -A reference is made to my reasons for this conduct, as -stated in my letters<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> under date the 4th, 5th, and 6th of -July. The measures which I recommended are there -stated. These, the Government observed, "consisted of -a modified repeal of the orders of the 1st of May; the -restoration to the service, and to their appointments, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -all the officers whom we had found it necessary to suspend -or remove; with an intimation to the army, that -their claims to Bengal allowances would be brought to -the notice of the Honourable the Court of Directors." -It is stated in the conclusion of this paragraph, that I -returned to Madras, "having succeeded no further in -accomplishing the objects of my mission, than in preventing -the officers from adopting any flagrant acts of -outrage to authority during my residence at Masulipatam." -As my failure is ascribed to an apparent unreasonable -and unwise attention to the feelings of officers -who had by their acts of violence forfeited all claims to -consideration, may it not be asked, What was the situation -of these officers when I was deputed by Sir George Barlow -with instructions to restore them to better feelings, and a -juster sense of duty, by the efforts of reason and argument? -Were they not in a state of outrageous mutiny? Their -commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, had been -placed under sentries, and it was hourly expected they -would openly throw off even the show of obedience; and -yet at such a period I received instructions from Sir George -Barlow to use every effort of reason and argument to -reclaim the officers to their duty. When I had, as appears -from my Journal<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> and letters, in a great degree succeeded, -having released Colonel Innes from his arrest, prevailed -upon a mutinous garrison to abandon its design of immediately -throwing off its allegiance, and of marching to -Hyderabad, obtained from them a reluctant recognition of -my authority, and was proceeding with the inquiry which -I had been directed to make: when all these changes, I -say, had been effected without <i>one concession</i>, by the force -of that reason which I was directed to employ; and I had -reported all that I had done; I received a letter from -Colonel Barclay, written by order of Sir George Barlow, -approving of my measures, desiring me to continue my -efforts to reclaim the officers, and to direct their attention -to the decision of the authorities in England: and yet, when -my success within the few days I was at Masulipatam had -been as great as it was possible to expect such means could -produce, (for changes in men's minds that are effected by -reason and argument must be gradual,) I am accused, in a -secret dispatch to my superiors in England, of having failed -in my mission, from a forbearance, which, though subsequently -termed unreasonable and unwise, I have shown -Sir George Barlow deemed, or professed to deem, at the -moment of my departure from Madras, wise and politic; -and from an attention to the feelings of those very officers, -to whose feelings and reason, when their crimes were at the -greatest height, I had been directed, by the verbal instructions -of Sir George Barlow, <i>and the letters</i> of his secretary, -to address myself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is stated, that my time was occupied in communication -with disorderly committees. To this I reply, that I -never recognised any committee in any public or official -manner that could either compromise my own authority, -or commit the dignity of Government. I communicated, -it is true, chiefly with those officers who, from their rank -or ability, appeared to have most influence over the rest. -Not to have done so, would have been to neglect the employment -of those means to which I have shown Sir George -Barlow exclusively trusted for my success. I learnt, that -there existed a garrison committee, of which every officer -was a member, and which could never meet without danger -of a mutiny that in its consequences would have precipitated -a rupture between the Government and most -other parts of the army: an extreme which it was my -constant labour to retard, if I could not altogether avert. -This committee I endeavoured, by my influence with the -senior and more reflecting officers of the garrison, to dissolve; -and I considered my success in this point as a great -step towards the restoration of order. The control of the -proceedings of the whole became vested in a few senior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -officers of comparative moderation, whose minds were more -accessible to reason, and whose small numbers rendered -them less liable to those violent impressions which produce -such mischief in large and turbulent meetings. But all -the communications I ever had, either directly or indirectly, -with any individual or bodies of officers at Masulipatam, -are stated in my journal: and, it will be seen from -that, I never made the slightest concession to the repeated -demands of the officers of that garrison. That my proceedings -were not such as is prescribed by an observation -of the regular course of military discipline there can be no -doubt: but Government had itself decided that question. -They had refrained (for the reasons stated in the dispatch -to which I have so often referred) from resorting to the -usual means, the employment of force for quelling the mutiny -at Masulipatam. I was deputed on what is termed in -this very dispatch <i>a mission</i>, (a word in itself including a -volume,) in order that I might reclaim to duty, by the -efforts of reason and argument, the officers of a garrison -which were known to be almost to a man unanimously bent -on mutiny and opposition to authority; and yet I am subsequently -condemned by the Government that sent me, for -having used the only means by which it was possible I -could accomplish that object.</p> - -<p>The statement made in the same paragraph of this dispatch -regarding the character of those measures which I -recommended, with a view of terminating the agitation of -the army, will, I am assured, not be considered as either -fair or liberal, by any person who gives an attentive perusal -to my secret and confidential letter to Sir George Barlow -upon that subject. I saw, immediately after my arrival -at Masulipatam, that some conciliatory measures must -be instantly adopted by Government, if it intended to avoid -the desperate extreme of a contest with its own army. A -contest which, it will be recollected, I never doubted would -early terminate in favour of the former: but success, I was -convinced, would bring dangers of a hundred fold greater<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -magnitude than any that could result from issuing the -order<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> that I recommended.</p> - -<p>On the succeeding day I wrote another letter<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a>, which -contained the following paragraph:</p> - -<p>"I can think of no improvement to this order, except -you conceive the great object of avoiding hostilities -would justify the following addition to it. 'Government -received a representation from a number of the -officers of the coast army, in which they solicit the -equalization of their allowances with those of the officers -of the Bengal army: This is a subject, the consideration -of which must exclusively rest with the -Honourable the Court of Directors, under whose notice -this application will, <i>in course</i>, be brought, and by -whose decision it will be the duty of the officers of the -coast army to abide.'"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> - -<p>I may ask, Whether the order I suggested in my letter -of the 5th of July justifies the assertion in the letter from -the Madras Government, that I recommended "the restoration -to the service and their appointments of all the -officers the Government had removed." The terms of -the order I suggested were only, that <i>in the full confidence</i> -that the officers of the coast would immediately abandon -their proceedings, Government would <i>recommend</i> the <i>officers -suspended to the Court of Directors</i>. That it restored -Colonels Bell and Chalmers to command, from which they -had been removed, and also one or two staff officers who -were in a similar predicament. There is assuredly a wide -difference between the immediate restoration of all the officers -suspended from the service, and the conditional promise -of a favourable recommendation to that authority by -which, under every circumstance, the fate of these officers -must have been decided. With respect to Colonel Bell, -I conscientiously believed at the moment, from what I -knew of the case of that valuable officer, that Sir George -Barlow would not be reluctant to consent to his restoration; -and with regard to that of Colonel Chalmers and one or -two others in nearly similar predicaments, I conceived that -if any measure of this kind was adopted, it should be as -complete as it was possible to make it, without affecting -the principle which was to carry <i>conciliation in act</i> (words, -after what had passed, could be of little or no avail) as far -as was possible, without serious injury to the authority and -dignity of Government. It was this consideration which -led to the communication already quoted from my letter of -the 6th of July regarding the first Memorial forwarded by -General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall. What I recommended was nothing -more than what had, I believe, been done as an act of -course, and was stated in a mode which, though conciliatory, -reminded the army of their duty, and gave them no -reason to believe more, than that the Court of Directors -<i>would see</i> the document in question. I think at this moment, -as I did at that in which I recommended this measure, -that nothing could have been more fortunate than its -adoption. I know I differ on this point from very high -authorities, who believe that any concessions, (and such -they would appear to deem <i>every act</i> of conciliation,) however -modified and corrected, would have been ruinous to -Government: but, in spite of these imposing opinions<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a>, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -must ask reflecting men to look near the subject, to examine -the evil which this measure could have produced, -consider the ills that were at that moment to be expected, -and to think on those that have resulted from the complete -success to authority that the most sanguine could have -anticipated, and then to pronounce their cool and deliberate -judgment. There certainly could be no apprehension -entertained that this order would have strengthened, to any -purpose of immediate violence or opposition, the discontented -and turbulent: but the danger stated is, that those -would have deemed it a victory. Let us for a moment -suppose they had been led, by their first feelings of joy at -their escape from a punishment which they had merited, -to have considered it as such, what permanent effect could -such a feeling produce? What had they gained? <i>Nothing.</i> -The fate of the officers who had been suspended remained -to be decided by the Directors; with whom it must, under -all circumstances, ultimately rest. Their Memorial for an -increase of allowances was to be brought before the same -body, but without even a promise from Government of any -recommendation. There was an end to their combinations -and committees<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a>, and, with them, to all those threats they -had thrown out against the local Government, which, it -was evident, would acquire such a vast accession of strength -by the spirit of moderation and conciliation which it had -shown, as would fully enable it to enforce the most severe -discipline, and particularly in all cases which were attended -with a danger of the recurrence of evils of a similar character -to those it had so recently encountered. The majority, -indeed, of the officers of the army, and all the most respectable, -had seen at this moment the desperate situation -into which they had unwarily suffered themselves to be led. -They would have had no sentiments but those of gratitude -to a Government, whose consideration had presented them -with the means of escape. All these would, if such an indulgence -had been shown to their errors, have ranged -themselves with enthusiasm on the side of Government, -and would have been the most forward to retrieve the character -of the service, by the punishment of those whom a -hardened spirit of disaffection and turbulence had led to -continue in opposition. That such a class would also -have remained, there is no doubt; and Government might -have been satisfied, at the moment this measure was taken, -that future punishments would have corrected any erroneous -opinions regarding the true motives that had induced -so generous and politic a proceeding.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> - -<p>The situation of affairs at the period stated was such, -that though there could be little doubt of the ultimate success -of Government even under the violent course it pursued; -yet that did not appear likely to be attained, if extremes -were resorted to, without bloodshed. His Majesty's -regiments at Hyderabad<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> and Travancore would be, if a -contest was precipitated, in the utmost danger; and if the -combat between our European and native troops had once -commenced, feelings would have been instantly engendered, -the dreadful action of which no man could calculate. That -these results were averted, was owing to a variety of causes, -very little, if at all, connected with either the foresight or -vigour of the Government of Fort St. George.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> -<p>But, passing over what was likely to be the probable -results of the desperate extreme to which the Government -of Fort St. George had resort, (though it is by a consideration -of these results that the merit of my suggestions -should be tried,) let us contemplate what has occurred, -from the most favourable issue that could have been -anticipated. The officers of the coast army must long -continue to feel that degradation which they have endured. -Years must elapse before the action of this -feeling will cease to produce disunion and discontent in -that establishment. But these are comparatively light -considerations, as all questions must be, connected with -a body of men over whom we must always have such -strong ties and efficient control as the European officers of -our armies in India. It is the firm allegiance and continued -obedience of the natives of which the strength of -those armies is composed, which forms by far the most important -principle in our government of this great Empire. -This can never be denied: and it is as true, that in that -almost religious respect with which the sepoy of India has -hitherto regarded his European officer, consisted what has -been always deemed the chief link of this great chain of -duty and obedience. That link (as far as relates to the -sepoys of the coast establishment)<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> has, if not broken, been -greatly shattered and impaired. A temporary object of -importance, no doubt, has been gained by a sacrifice of -one a thousand times the value of the object. The dignity -of the local Government of Fort St. George has been saved -from an imputation of weakness, by a measure which -threatens the most serious danger to the future safety of -our whole empire in India. An evil, for which there were -many and certain remedies, has been averted, by incurring -one, the progress of which (from its character,) cannot be -calculated; which is, from its nature, irremediable; and -of which we know nothing, except that it is efficient to our -destruction.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> -<p>The Government of Fort St. George appear resolved to -withhold the expression of their sense of that benefit which -the substance of their dispatch obviously shows flowed from -my observation and conduct. Sir George Barlow, through -his secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, to me, under -date the 12th of July, states, that, "<i>in consequence of the -information which I had communicated</i>" <i>from</i> Masulipatam, -he had ordered the assembling of a considerable -force near Madras; and it is to this precautionary measure, -adopted upon my information, to which the Government -of Madras ascribes in a great degree the success of its subsequent -proceedings: and it seems also to have entirely -escaped the recollection of the Government, that if I had -not, by my exertions, reclaimed the garrison of Masulipatam -from their design of marching to join the Hyderabad -force, and prevented from the 4th till the 22d of July their -committing any outrage, that a great part of the army -would, during that eventful period, have been precipitated -into a rupture before the Government had time for -executing any plan for the defeat of their designs. I do -not mention these circumstances with a view of claiming -any merit from my exertions at that period; but to show -that the same principle, which led to an unfounded insinuation -against my character, has caused an omission of -every fact that could bring my services to the favourable -notice of my superiors.</p> - -<p>I shall resume my narrative, and state shortly what share -I had in the transactions at Madras, from my return from -Masulipatam till the arrival of Lord Minto at that settlement.</p> - -<p>I have already stated that Sir George Barlow directed -me, before I went to Masulipatam, to write the draft of a -letter to the commanding officers at Hyderabad and Jaulnah, -and had approved of what I had written. I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -carried a copy of that draft to Masulipatam, and had, on -my first violent discussion with the officers of that garrison, -adduced it as a proof of the moderation and temper with -which the Governor had acted. In a short period, however, -it appeared that no such document had reached Hyderabad, -and I was exposed to the charge of intended -deception. I addressed a note to Colonel Barclay the -day after I arrived at Madras, stating this fact, and -begged that he would, by his answer, enable me to -repel such a charge<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a>. I received the following reply, -dated Fort St. George, 28th July 1809.</p> - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Dear Malcolm</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>"I have just received your note of -this date. I recollect perfectly well, that before your -embarkation for Masulipatam you put into my hands, -to be delivered to Sir George Barlow, a paper in the -form of a draft of a letter to be written to Colonel Montresor, -on the subject of addresses from the Hyderabad -subsidiary force. I delivered the paper according to -your desire. I know that Sir George Barlow did not -approve of it; and I believe that no letter of the nature -of it was sent to Colonel Montresor.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"I remain, &c. &c.<br /> -(Signed) "R. BARCLAY."<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> -<p>Greatly surprised at this answer, I wrote the following -note:</p> - - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>"There must be a mistake, as the -draft I gave you was written, by direction of Sir George -Barlow, from a memorandum now in my possession, -which I had read to Sir George not half an hour before, -and of which he at that moment approved, or he would -not have desired me to put it in the shape of a letter. -I beg the nature of the request I made in my note of -yesterday may not be misunderstood. I am aware Sir -George Barlow, when he asked my opinion on the -question of the reply to be made to the representation -from the Hyderabad force, might, even if he approved -my suggestion at the moment, be led by a thousand considerations -to alter his sentiments before the tappal<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> was -dispatched; but as I sailed for Masulipatam under the -impression that no change had occurred in his opinion, -and made use of the information I had upon the subject, -to satisfy misguided men that they were in error regarding -his disposition towards them, and by doing so have -subjected myself to a charge of <i>intended deception</i>, I -was naturally anxious to clear my character from this -imputation; and the circumstances were evidently such, -that it appeared in my mind I would be enabled to do -so without the slightest embarrassment to either you or -Sir George Barlow. If, indeed, I had not been satisfied -of this, I should never have written, at a moment like -the present, upon such a subject. Your note conveys -no idea but that I had, without any previous communication -with Sir George Barlow, sent a draft of a letter -to him through you, of which he disapproved; and so -far from answering the object for which it was solicited, -could make no impression but that my assertions were -founded on an ill-grounded presumption of my possessing -an influence over the judgment of Sir G. Barlow. -<i>This, you must be aware, is exactly opposite to the circumstances -of the case, as I have stated them to you at -the period of their occurrence</i>; for I told you it was by -desire of Sir George Barlow I gave you the draft.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have felt it due to myself to say so much, but am -not desirous a word more should pass on the subject. -I trust it never has and never can be supposed, that I -could either in word or deed do any thing that could -occasion the slightest embarrassment upon any question, -much less upon one of so personal a nature.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"Your's sincerely,<br /> -(Signed) "JOHN MALCOLM."<br /> -</div> - -<p>To this communication I received the following more -satisfactory reply:</p> - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Dear Malcolm</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>"I have been so busy for the last two -days, that I could not refer to the answer which I wrote -on the 28th ultimo to your letter of that date, respecting -the draft of the letter which you gave me for Sir George -Barlow previous to your embarkation for Masulipatam.</p> - -<p>"I now find that it is not mentioned in that answer that -you had prepared the draft at Sir George Barlow's desire, -after a long conversation with him on the subject; -<i>but I recollect perfectly well that you told me so when -you gave me the draft</i>.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"I remain, &c. &c.<br /> -(Signed) "R. BARCLAY,<br /> -"M. S."<br /> -</div> -<p> -"Fort St. George,<br /> -1st August, 1809."<br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<p>This trifling but irritating circumstance confirmed me -in the resolution I had taken regarding my own conduct. -I had come from Bombay with the intention of joining -my station at Mysore; but I had received, when at Masulipatam, -a letter from Lord Minto reappointing me to -Persia; and I had, since I reached Madras, been directed -by a letter from his Lordship, under date the 15th of July, -to await his arrival at that place. With such orders I -could only offer my service as a volunteer to Sir George -Barlow; and I had little encouragement to do that. He -had, it is true, at the interview I had on the 27th, expressed -in a cold manner his wish that I should go to -Mysore; but that wish had never been repeated: he had -made no further communication to me since my return; -nor had I even been required to give that information -which he knew I possessed. Under such circumstances, -I felt that it was my duty to obey the orders of the Governor-General, -and not to intrude my voluntary services -when they were evidently not sought. In consequence of -this determination I addressed a private letter to Sir -George Barlow on the 1st of August; in which, after explaining -very fully the sentiments by which my conduct -was regulated, I offered the following observations on -what had passed, and what might be expected from the -measure he had adopted:</p> - -<p>"You are no stranger to that enthusiasm with which I -embarked in the present scene: and, whatever has been -my success, I am assured that you are satisfied I have -not been deficient in zeal in the exertion of my humble -endeavours to reclaim my brother officers to temper and -to the path of duty: and I indulged, to the very moment -of my arrival at Madras from Masulipatam, a hope that -this great object of your solicitude would be effected -without having recourse to coercive measures; or at -least that a great proportion of the officers of the Company's -army (including almost all who had weight and -influence with the men) would be recovered, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -the early submission of the rest would have been a certain -consequence of the return of their seniors to their -duty.</p> - -<p>"The highly criminal violence of the force at Hyderabad, -which is known to the whole army to be guided -by weak and wrong-headed men, has unfortunately -precipitated a very different issue to that which I was -so sanguine as to expect. That force has declared that -they speak the sentiments of the whole, or at least those -of a great proportion of the Madras army; though it is -evident, at the moment they made such an assertion, -they could not have received an answer from any -station to that absurd paper which they term an <i>Ultimatum</i>, -which they have had the audacity to forward -to Government; but which, I conscientiously believe, -would, if it had been publicly promulgated, have been -disowned and disclaimed by great numbers of the senior -and most respectable officers at every station in the -army. I can speak positively with regard to some, -indeed all of the senior officers of the garrison of Masulipatam -upon this subject, and they have lately been -considered as the most violent of the whole. I am far -from meaning (such meaning would, indeed, be as contrary -to that high respect I have ever entertained for -your character, as to the duties of my situation) to offer -even an opinion on the wisdom and policy of that step -which Government has lately adopted with the Company's -officers of this establishment. The test these -were required to sign was, as far as I understood it, a -mere repetition of the obligations of the commission -that every one of them held; and the only rational objection -that could be made to it by men who were -devoted to their duty, and who had never deviated -from it in thought, word, or deed, was, that it was unnecessary; -that it was, with regard to them at least, an -act of supererogation, and one that had a taint of suspicion -in it. These were, indeed, the feelings that passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -in my mind when this paper was first put into my -hands; but they were instantly subdued by a paramount -sense of public duty; and I signed it to show (as far as -my example could show) my perfect acquiescence in a -measure which the Government I served had thought -proper to adopt: but I am satisfied it was not the terms -of this paper which led the great majority of the Company's -officers both in camp and at the Mount, and in -the garrison, to refuse their signatures; it was the manner -in which it was presented, and the circumstances -by which the whole proceeding was accompanied. -The minds of the most honourable, and of those most -attached to Government and to their Country, revolted -more at the mode than the substance of the act: they -felt (perhaps erroneously) that they were disgraced, -because the manner in which their consent was asked -showed they were not in the least trusted: and this was, -I am assured, one of the chief causes of their almost -general rejection of this proposed test of fidelity. It -appears to me of the greatest importance that you -should be aware of every feeling that this proceeding -excited; and it is in discharge of the duties of that -friendship with which you have ever honoured me -that I have stated my sentiments so freely upon this -subject. I am very intimately acquainted with a great -number of the officers of whom I speak: some of them -would, I am certain, have given their lives for Government -at the very moment they refused to give a pledge -which they thought, from the mode in which it was -proposed, reflected upon their honour; and others, who -had unfortunately gone to a certain extent in the late -culpable and unmilitary proceedings, but who viewed -the criminal excesses of some of their brother officers -with undisguised horror and indignation, would, I am -assured, if it had been possible for Government to have -pardoned what was past, and to have expressed, in indulgent -language, its kind intentions for the future,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -have been the most forward in their efforts to punish -those who, by an unwarrantable perseverance in a guilty -career, merited all the wrath of the state: but, unfortunately, -(though such an intention, I am assured, never -entered into your mind,) an almost general sentiment -prevailed, that it was meant the service should be -destroyed by the first blow, and that all were therefore -included in one general mass, as just objects of suspicion -and disgrace.</p> - -<p>"I am far from defending such an interpretation of this -measure of Government; I have only stated what I -consider to be the fact, and explained, as far as I could, -those causes by which I believe it to have been produced: -their operation is, I fear, now almost irremediable, -and events must take their course. I know (and -my personal conduct has proved it,) that my brother -officers are deeply wrong; and I am quite heart-broken -when I reflect on the consequences to themselves and -country which the guilt of some of them is likely to -produce. I need not assure you of my sincere happiness -at the success which has hitherto attended the execution -of the measure you have adopted, and I -anxiously hope it may meet with no opposition. I -have never doubted the success of this measure, if it was -resorted to, as far as related to the accomplishment of -its immediate object; and I most earnestly pray that -my judgment may have deceived me with regard to the -collateral and remote consequences by which I have -always deemed it likely to be attended."</p> - -<p>The only reply I received to this communication, was -by a note from Colonel Barclay, under date the 2d of -August, to acquaint me, that, for the reasons I had stated, -"Sir George Barlow would not press me to go to Mysore, -and that it was the Governor's intention to reply to the -other parts of my letter at more leisure." He never, -however, condescended to make such a reply, or indeed to -honour me with any subsequent communication whatever,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -either personally, or through the medium of any of his -staff: and an event occurred sometime afterwards, which -produced such irritation upon his mind, as to make him -deny me the common civilities due to an officer in my -public station. Some time after my return to Madras, an -address<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> from the inhabitants of Madras to Sir George -Barlow was drawn up, and sent in circulation. This -address was said to have originated with a staff officer of -rank. None of the usual forms of convening the inhabitants -had taken place; and the mode adopted to obtain -signatures was still more extraordinary than this glaring -departure from common usage. Gentlemen of the first -respectability in the civil service informed me, that when -they had testified an aversion to sign this address unless -parts of it were modified, they had received such plain intimations -regarding the consequences with which their -refusal would be attended, as left them in no doubt but -that they must either sacrifice their opinions, or bring immediate -distress, and perhaps final ruin, upon themselves -and their families. Under these circumstances some had -signed; while others had actually absented themselves for -days from their own houses, to escape the painful importunities -to which they were exposed. It is necessary here -to state, that almost all ranks were ready at this moment -to come forward with a public declaration of duty and -attachment to Government, and of their readiness to sacrifice -their lives and fortunes in its defence; but a strong -objection was entertained by many to that part of the circulated -address which cast reflections upon that body of -officers who had embraced the alternative of retiring for a -period from their duty, rather than sign the test which -Government had proposed. It was said, and with great -truth, that at the moment when Government professed its -desire to reclaim these officers to a more active allegiance, -nothing could be more unwise and useless than exasperating -their minds to a sullen perseverance in error, by an -abuse of them in an address signed by a few civil and -military inhabitants of Madras; and that it was perfectly -evident such an expression of sentiment could only have -the effect of widening a breach it was most desirable to -close, and of creating (by exciting discussion) further dissensions -and difference of opinion among those of whose -devoted attachment to Government there could be no -doubt. Such were my own sentiments regarding this -address: and while I foresaw the mischief it was calculated -to produce, I could divine no possible good from its agitation. -It was sent for my signature, with the following -note from Colonel Leith:</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> -<p>"The accompanying address is submitted to Lieutenant-Colonel -Malcolm for his consideration, which, as -soon as he is done with, it is requested he will return to -the bearer."</p> - -<p>To this I immediately sent an answer, as follows:</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm returns the address to -Lieutenant-Colonel Leith. He has not signed it, for -reasons very foreign to any want of respect and regard -for Sir George Barlow, or of duty, obedience, and -attachment to that constituted authority of his country -under which he is placed."</p> - -<p>I cannot recollect that I ever in my life took a step in -which my mind was more decided respecting its propriety, -on every public and private principle, than upon this -occasion. I considered the address, both from the irregular -mode in which it was brought forward, the unbecoming -means resorted to in order to obtain signatures, and -the expressions contained in it, as an unwise measure, -which had originated in that spirit of undistinguishing -violence which I conscientiously believed had been the -chief means of producing a crisis that this act was calculated -to inflame. It did not appear to my mind to be -attended with the slightest benefit, for it brought no new -friends to Government: and though it could not shake the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -attachment to the legitimate authority of their country of -any persons whose principles were fixed, its tendency was -to excite jealousy and division among those who were most -warmly attached to order and Government: and among -these, however actuated by a sense of public duty, it was -natural that a difference of <i>private opinion</i> should exist. -Some were, no doubt, more disposed than others to approve -violent and unqualified proceedings, or perhaps less disposed -to maintain that independence of mind which no man -should ever be censured for maintaining upon such points; -otherwise addresses of this stamp would not only lose their -value, but become tests of the most odious and invidious -nature that a tyrannic Government could invent, to degrade -or alienate the minds of its subjects.</p> - -<p>I certainly was most reluctant to believe that this -measure had Sir George Barlow's sanction: it seemed to -me of a character opposite to all the principles and habits -of his life: nor could I forget those grounds which he had -assumed when he recently refused to permit me to frame -an address of a very opposite tendency, and one that -would, in all probability, have prevented those evils which -this seemed calculated to inflame. I never was more surprised -than when (some days subsequent to my note to -Colonel Leith) I was informed by a confidential officer of -the Governor's staff, to whom I mentioned what I had done, -and the reasons by which I was actuated, that the address, -from the first, had the Governor's complete sanction and -approbation.</p> - -<p>In closing this subject, it may be necessary to state, that -this address, after all the unbecoming efforts that were -used to obtain signatures, had only fifty-seven names affixed -to it; among which, twenty-four only were civilians and -inhabitants of Madras: the remainder were officers of his -Majesty's service, with a few of the staff of the Company's -army. If all those who did not sign it were not actually -considered as disaffected, they were deemed by those -whom this measure had formed into a party, as lukewarm -in the public cause. This species of injustice is too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -common to such times, to afford any individual a right of -complaint; but there should be a difference between the -momentary feeling of a violent party during a period of -commotion, and the deliberate sentiments of a public ruler. -I have already mentioned, that the crime of having presumed, -though in the most respectful manner, to act conformably -to the dictates of my own judgment on a question -which was referred to me as a private individual, subjected -me, at the moment, to the loss of those civilities -from Sir George Barlow to which I had a right from my -public station; and I did not require the evidence I have -now obtained, from the publication of the letter from the -Government of Madras to the Secret Committee, to satisfy -my mind that my character has since had to war with all -the weight that belongs to the influence and opinion of -Sir George Barlow: but, great as this odds may appear to -many, it can excite no apprehension in a mind fortified as -mine is by a conscious sense of never having deviated from -the path of private rectitude, or public duty.</p> - -<p>Though, subsequent to this transaction, all personal intercourse -between Sir George Barlow and me had ceased, -I could not look with indifference on the events that -occurred; and when the mad desperation of the officers of -the two corps which marched from Chittledroog to proceed -to Seringapatam led to an action, I thought the opportunity -favourable to close this horrid scene in a manner every -way suited to the dignity of Government. I first communicated -my sentiments upon this point to Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay, and afterwards ventured to address the -following note to Sir George Barlow, expecting that the -importance of the subject, and a consideration of former -acquaintance and regard, would at least obtain a pardon -for such a liberty.</p> - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>"I wrote a note to Colonel Barclay some hours -ago, which he informed me he sent to you for perusal. -I have since received a letter from Masulipatam, at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -which place they are between hope and despair; but -have refrained from further guilt, and mean to refrain, -unless called upon by those who have now, thank God! -shown them an example of returning to their duty. I -am assured you will not blame that extreme anxiety -which makes me intrude, unasked, my opinion at a -moment like the present. I have, I am satisfied, the -fullest information of the real temper of this army at this -present period; and, if I am not the most deceived man -in the world, there is an opportunity given, by the conduct -of the Hyderabad force<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a>, which enables you to -combine the immediate and complete settlement of these -afflicting troubles with the advancement of the reputation, -power, and dignity, of Government. I am aware -of the very deep guilt into which almost all have gone; -some in intention, others in act: but the force at Hyderabad, -who, since the 1st of May, have been the cause -of all the present evils, and who lately insulted Government -with demands, are now supplicating clemency: a -dreadful<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> example has occurred in Mysore, which will -make a lasting impression on both officers and sepoys, -of the horrors to which such illegal combinations lead. -If it were possible to close the scene here, an impression -must be made that will for ever prevent the repetition of -such crimes; and the effect of shame and contrition, -which the clemency and magnanimity of Government -must produce, will have more effect upon the minds of -liberal men than twenty examples. Men's minds will -be at once reclaimed, and they will be fixed in their -attachment by a better motive than fear. But this is -not all. The officers at Hyderabad, like those of other -stations, act at the present crisis entirely from the impulse -of passion and feeling; and they fly, as I have -witnessed, from one extreme to another, with a facility -that is not to be credited by persons under the influence -of calm reason. Such persons can never be depended -upon, whatever pledges they make, while any strong -causes of agitation remain: and no act, therefore, which -does not embrace the whole, can give that complete -security and tranquillity which is the object of desire. -If a single question of irritation and inflammation be -left, it is a spark which may again create a general explosion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> - - -<p>"You will, I am assured, pardon this communication. -Nothing could have induced me to the freedom, but a -conviction that this is one of those happy moments -when all the dangers that threaten us may be dissipated. -If you can, on the grounds of your granting that -clemency to supplication, which you never would to -demand; of military justice being satisfied, and the -army lessoned, in the dreadful example that has been -made in Mysore; and of your thinking it not derogatory, -at such a moment, to grant a general amnesty, -and to bury the past in oblivion: desiring all those who -mean to perform their duty to join their corps, and -those who do not, to consider themselves out of the service; -and proclaiming every man a traitor, and liable -to immediate military execution, who opposes legal -authority one hour after the receipt of this order, I will -answer with my life for the immediate re-establishment -of the public authority on more secure grounds than it -perhaps ever rested. Such an act as this will, I am -assured, while it advances the fame and dignity of -Government, raise your own reputation in the highest -degree; and you will receive, as you will merit, the -blessings of thousands, with the applause of your -country.</p> - -<p>"I have perhaps already said too much upon this -subject; and I could adduce many more equally forcible -reasons to those I have urged; but I shall not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -trouble you further. If you think the suggestions I -have offered worthy of any attention, I shall attend -you, and state them. With regard to the success of -this measure I cannot have a doubt. If all did not immediately -submit, they would be completely disunited: -and those that ventured to oppose (if there were any -such), would be the proper objects for example.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"I am, with great respect,<br /> -"Your obedient servant,<br /> -(Signed) "JOHN MALCOLM."<br /> -</div> - -<p>The receipt of this note was not even acknowledged; -and it was, of course, the last communication I made to -Sir George Barlow. When Lord Minto arrived at Madras, -I laid every part of my conduct before him. I gave him -every information I could regarding the actual state of -affairs; and submitted with freedom my sentiments of -those principles which should govern his final judgment -on the important points that remained for his decision. -He expressed no dissatisfaction at my conduct; he thanked -me for my information; and though he differed with me -in many of the opinions I stated, he did not condemn me -for that difference: on the contrary, he appeared pleased -with the liberty I took in offering my advice with such -boldness and freedom. The whole of the manner, as well -as the substance of the conduct, which this able and virtuous -nobleman observed towards me on this occasion, had -the effect of reconciling my mind to further exertions in -the public service; from which, I confess, it was, before -his arrival, much, if not wholly alienated. I had been -employed, as I have shown, in a confidential manner, -without being trusted. I had been deputed on a delicate -and arduous mission, and recommended to pursue a system -which mixed firmness with conciliation, while it proposed -to reclaim by reason more than by terror; and before any -time was given for the operation of the measures I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -taken, a new course was adopted, grounded <i>on coercion</i> -alone: and because I had not by inspiration divined that -such would be the ultimate result, I now discover that I -have been most unjustly censured, as disappointing the -expectations of the Government: and it has been insinuated -(a direct charge would have been too bold) that -I acted contrary to orders. I trust I have refuted every -charge of this nature: and if some should continue to think -I have committed errors; none, I am assured, can accuse -me of crimes. Let it be recollected that I was placed, -throughout all the transactions I have described, in a most -painful and difficult situation. I had no prescribed or distinct -duty to perform; I was called upon by Sir G. Barlow -to exert, in the manner I thought best adapted to the end, -all the influence of my character to reclaim men with -whom he thought I had great weight; and he appeared for -a period to give me his confidence, and to trust implicitly -to my discretion and judgment. I was all along sensible -to the full danger of the situation in which I placed myself; -but was too earnest in the cause to attend to prudence: -and I may conscientiously add, that I never was more -assured of meeting approbation from Sir George Barlow -than at that moment when I found myself estranged from -all share in his confidence, and treated with the most -pointed neglect. But I had myself to reproach. I should -certainly have foreseen that my efforts would have been -useless, when combined with a system of measures to which -they bore little or no affinity; and I was (I must confess -it,) wrong in supposing, for a moment, that my advice, or -any arguments I could adduce, could, under any circumstances, -permanently divert the Governor of Fort -St. George into a course that mixed feeling, and consideration -for human failings, with the established maxims -of his ordinary rule. I should have known better; and in -fact I did, as my letters<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> before I went to Madras prove: -but,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> when on the spot, my heart conquered my head, and -I tried an impossibility: but I never shall regret the -attempt, nor blush for having recommended principles of -action that are congenial to the best feelings of human -nature, that are calculated to make Government an object -of rational attachment, and to give the mind a generous -pride in submission and obedience; and which, so far -from being of dangerous example, and subversive of order, -are familiar in the practice to every free state, and have -never been rejected in the most despotic, when such have -been governed by great and wise rules.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> These were the persons who fabricated those reports that were circulated -and believed by numbers, respecting promises of aid and support -from the officers of Bengal and Bombay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> <i>This fear of being thought afraid</i>, is, perhaps, of all motives of human -action one of the weakest, though it wears a mask of boldness, and under -that is often productive of infinite mischief.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> I thought so at that period, though I have been since convinced I -was mistaken.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Sir George Barlow not only thought so, but must, from the Governor -General's letter to the secret committee of the 12th of October 1809, have -conveyed the same impression to Lord Minto. The merit of foresight -will not assuredly be claimed as one among the talents that were displayed -by the Governor of Fort St. George upon this memorable occasion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> See Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's letter to General Gowdie, in the -Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Lieutenant Maitland, the dismissed quarter-master, was ordered to -command the marines; and Lieutenant Forbes, who had been banished to -Condapilly, was directed to proceed to relieve an officer of the regiment -on duty at Prince of Wales's Island. This second punishment was a torturing -revival of those wrongs, of which not only the parties, but all the -officers of the corps, had before, with some justice, complained.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay afterwards returned me the original note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> The following paragraph of a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Montresor -to Lieutenant-Colonel Doveton, dated Secundrabad, the 10th July, -1809, is a proof of the light in which this measure was viewed, and the use -made of it to reclaim the most violent to duty and submission.—"When the -address was forwarded from Jaulnah, the officers could not have known -that the Government of Madras had taken such steps as were most -likely to quiet the public mind, in consequence of the unpleasant state -of affairs at Masulipatam. Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, whose sound -sense, knowledge of the army, and conciliatory manners, peculiarly -qualified him for the difficult task of allaying the ferment in the northern -division of the army, has already arrived at Masulipatam, and a committee -has been ordered to inquire into the late occurrences, composed -of three officers among the most popular in the army: therefore I am -sure the officers of Jaulnah will see the bad effects of forwarding an -address, at this moment, of any nature whatever, as it could only tend -to add to the irritation of the public mind." Vide printed Correspondence, -No. 2, page 35.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Two days after I went away, and when no event had occurred of any -consequence, he was persuaded (as has been before shown) to commence -the plan for placing the native corps under check of his Majesty's regiments, -and the orders were sent to Hyderabad for the march of the 2d of -the 10th to Goa.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Instead of sending this letter, the order for the march of a battalion -from Hyderabad to Goa, in prosecution of the plan for dividing the sepoy -corps, was sent two days after my departure, and provoked (as was, under -such circumstances, to have been expected) open resistance and rebellion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> This irritating and imprudent order (which has been before noticed) -was sent to Hyderabad a day or two after I sailed; and the same influence -that obtained the adoption of this measure, prevented the dispatch of the -letter to the commanding officers of Hyderabad and Jaulnah, which I -drafted, and which Sir George Barlow at the moment approved, and -<i>assured me he would send</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> The Major-General assured me of this fact.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Vide Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> All the letters from this officer to me while I was at Masulipatam, are -in the printed Correspondence.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> One of the chief objects for which this proceeding was recommended -and adopted, was to gain time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> See Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Vide Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> See a copy of that order in the Appendix, in a letter to Sir George -Barlow, dated 5th July.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> See Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> I always thought, and always must think, that there is a wide difference -between the seditious combination of a body of officers and a mutiny -of soldiers, and that the two cases require a distinct treatment. With the -latter there can hardly be two modes of proceeding; with the former there -may be various, and all equally safe. They may be restored by the influence -of reason, and subdued by the operation of their own feelings. Their -minds may be reclaimed by many modes that could not be applied to their -men; and there is, in the worst extremes, a character in their opposition -that admits more of the application of such remedies than the mad and instinctive -action of a mutinous soldiery. These two cases were certainly -confounded at Madras; and most of the evils that arose may be imputed to -the fallacy of treating a seditious combination of officers as a mutiny of -soldiers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> The danger that had been incurred was sufficient to authorize Government -to take the most decisive measures to guard against the revival of -such combinations against authority: and though numbers who might -have merited punishment had escaped, <i>not one object of benefit to either -individuals or the army at large had been attained</i>; and it is therefore quite -extravagant to assert such a termination could ever have tended to encourage -future proceedings of a similar nature.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The account of what occurred at this station on the day General -Close made the noble effort he did to carry the orders of the Government -of Madras into execution, shows the desperate hazard that was incurred. -If, says an officer of high rank, during the period that between four and -five thousand troops were in a state of mutinous violence and uproar, -"one musket had gone off by accident, not a man of his Majesty's 33d -regiment would have been left alive, and a general massacre of almost -all Europeans would have been the most certain result."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> No consideration of this question can be local or limited. If a successful -example of disobedience or rebellion was exhibited by our native -troops on the Madras establishment, its baneful effects would not be limited -to that part of our possessions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> I spoke to Colonel Barclay before I wrote upon this subject, and he -said he would show my note to Sir G. Barlow, and obtain me an answer -that would vindicate my character from the charge to which the Governor's -change of resolution had made me liable. This circumstance left me without -a doubt that the cautious reply I received from that officer was by the -direction of Sir G. Barlow. Indeed, I was satisfied that this excellent and -respectable officer, for whom I have always entertained the same sentiments -of esteem and friendship, never acted in any part of those transactions, -in which his name appears, <i>but by the specific instructions or orders -the Governor</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Post.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> See a copy of this in the Appendix.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> The officers of that force had signed the test.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> It was considered, at the moment when this note was written, that -almost the whole of the two corps from Chittledroog had been destroyed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Vide letters to Lords Wellesley and Wellington, pages 64, 65.</p></div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="APPENDIXII" id="APPENDIXII">APPENDIX.</a></h2> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. I.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copies of Letters from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Malcolm</span> -<i>during his Stay at Masulipatam</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 4th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I arrived here early this morning. Nothing -can be worse than the state in which matters were. -Major Storey seems a weak man, and the garrison was -commanded by a committee of violent spirited young men. -They deliberated, after my arrival, on the measures they -were to pursue; and were at first, I am assured, disposed -to resist my authority: they next made a demand of an -act of amnesty for all late proceedings in the garrison of -Masulipatam. This, I told them, it was quite impossible -for me to grant; that a regular military proceeding had -been instituted, to inquire into late proceedings; and that -I could declare, it was the intention of Government to -order a court martial to try any person this court thought -ought to be tried; but I could say no more. They had, -I found, pledged themselves most deeply to resist Government, -to almost all the stations in the army<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a>, and had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -received the strongest assurances of support from Hyderabad; -and I believe a movement towards that quarter was -intended in a day or two. The public avowal of their -determination to resist Government made them feel reluctant -to relax their opposition; and their fear of suffering -for what has past, rendered them quite desperate. They, -however, after a conference of some hours, became more -reasonable, and professed their obedience to my authority, -and their acquiescence in the inquiry that had been ordered. -I issued the general orders, and directed the instant release -of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes from arrest. I saw him. He -is no doubt a very good, but he is a weak man. He feels -naturally very indignant at what has passed, but will be -moderate in his conduct. I could have had no idea of the -length to which matters have proceeded, before to-day. -An organized opposition to Government was to have commenced -as the day after to-morrow; and, in the present -temper of men, I know not if that event can be avoided. -Nothing can be so unfortunate as the occurrences of the -mutiny here, as numbers have been hurried into guilt, from -which they see no escape but in all being equally involved. -This is a melancholy state to have minds in. I have certainly -succeeded in making them abandon their violent -measures for the moment; but a relapse is to be apprehended; -particularly as it would appear difficult, if not -impossible, to tranquillize them by an act of amnesty. -What am I to do, in case of an extreme? The combination -is general. Excuse this hurried note. I have -not a moment.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I am, with great respect,<br /> -Your obedient servant,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 5th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I wrote you a hurried letter last night. I -have since come to the knowledge of many additional facts, -and have had some time to reflect on what I have seen and -heard; and I should be as wanting in my duty to you as -to my country, if I was withheld, by any motive whatever, -in stating my sentiments in the most undisguised manner -on the present state of affairs: and whether you coincide -in my opinion or not, you can have no doubt regarding -those motives that lead me to express, in that sacred confidence, -which your knowledge of my character authorizes -me to use, the conviction of my judgment on the steps -necessary to be taken upon the present unfortunate crisis.</p> - -<p>I have now seen the concerted plans of almost the whole -of the army against the authority of Government; and can -say, with almost an assurance that I am correct, that there -is not one Company's corps, from Cape Comorin to Ganjam, -that is not implicated in the general guilt, and that -is not pledged to rise against Government, unless what -they deem their grievances are redressed. Be assured, -that no commanding officer, whatever they may write, has -any real authority over their corps<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a>: and though in some -places (where there are King's regiments) they are more -guarded, their resolution is the same; and they mean to -act, the moment the example is shown by those parts of -the army whom they consider as most likely to be successful -in their first efforts. The Hyderabad and Jaulnah force are -chiefly looked to, and the northern division of the army; -and the European regiment has, from what they style its -regimental grievances, become the corps from which they -expect the first act of opposition. Its late proceedings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -are applauded and confirmed by the force at Hyderabad: -and I know it was intended, if there had been the slightest -indication of any coercive measures, or even had the Commander-in-Chief -arrived, to have marched this corps and -the two sepoy battalions in the division to effect a junction -with the Hyderabad force, in order to organize an army to -commence hostilities with Government. Their march was -to have taken place as to-day; and it was, for five hours -after my arrival, a subject of warm discussion, whether I -should be recognised or not as their commanding officer? -And, after stating every thing a man could state to reclaim -them to better feeling, I was obliged to give them the -choice of the extreme, of either immediately submitting to -the order of Government, or of opposing it. They chose -at last the former; but placed it on the grounds of that -general respect which was paid by them, and all their -brother officers, to my character. I did not think it -necessary to fight regarding the grounds of their obedience -on this point, being satisfied with the substance, and particularly -as I had received this proof after they were informed -of my sentiments and intentions. Though an immediate -open rebellion against Government has been prevented -by my arrival at Masulipatam, the danger is not -past; and we must not deceive ourselves, or any longer -evade this serious question. The officers of the Company's -army on the coast are no doubt at this moment in a state of -actual insurrection against the Government; and this combination -against authority is every moment maturing and -spreading wider. I have seen the letter<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> from the Bombay -army to that of the coast, and it is unqualified in its condemnation -of the orders of the 1st of May, and its promise -of support. Several private letters have been received -from Bengal. An address from that army, to the same -effect as that of Bombay, is expected: at all events they -appear certain that no human power will lead the Bengal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -troops to act against them. They calculate upon opposition -from the King's army, and their plans are concerted -to meet it. These deluded men are aware of the ruin they -are bringing upon themselves; but their infatuation is so -great, that they are reconciled to their ruin, in the expectation -that it will equally involve that Government against -which their rage has been so industriously and so successfully -excited. All attempts to reason with men in the -state of mind they are in, appears vain. Even the circulation -of the able letter from Bengal is, as I apprehended, -likely to inflame, instead of appeasing their passions. It -is so true, that when men's minds have gone completely -wrong, that which ought to put them right has, in general, -a direct contrary effect: and the fact is, that all those correct -principles and loyal feelings, which are so eloquently -expressed in the letter from the supreme Government, but -serve to impress them more forcibly with a sense of that -guilt into which they have so precipitately rushed, and to -render them more desperate in their proceedings, as they -can (after what has passed, and particularly late events at -this place,) only see individual safety in all being equally -involved in the deepest guilt. I entreat you to be persuaded -that these sentiments are quite general; or, at least, -that the few who do not entertain them have neither the -means nor the courage to oppose their progress; and -allow themselves, with an indefensible passiveness, to be -borne along with the tide. Under such a state of circumstances, -all hopes of this spirit of insurrection subsiding -must be at an end. Some steps must instantly be taken; -and no good can result from the application of any partial -remedy. The disease is general, and the remedy must be -so also. It remains with you to decide on the measures -that are to be adopted. The first and most military, -though not, perhaps, the most political, that suggests itself, -is the employment of actual force. In such a contest, -however, not only the means must be calculated, but the -result; and, as far as I can judge, success, even in this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -extreme, would not save us from the most baneful consequences. -It seems therefore not wise to have resort to -such a measure, till every other that it is possible for Government -to take, without the annihilation of its own power -and dignity, has been tried and failed. Unqualified concession -to the demands of the army, either in dismissing -public servants of Government, or in rescinding its orders, -would be a virtual resignation of its power, and cannot -therefore be made. It would, indeed, be better and more -honourable, if <i>matters were at the worst</i>, that Government -should fall by any hands than its own. Should Government -not resolve on having immediate resort to force, -one line only remains that could at the present moment -afford a rational hope of the necessity of having recourse -to that extreme being avoided, or at least of its being -resorted to with advantage; which is, to meet the crisis at -once, by a general order to something of the following purport:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Government finds, with concern, that it can no longer -indulge that sanguine hope which it once entertained, -that the irritation which a variety of causes have combined -to produce in the minds of the Company's army -on the coast would subside; and as it is satisfied that the -evils which must result from the existence of those combinations -against its authority, that are now formed in -almost every station, will, if suffered to continue, be as -injurious to the public interests, as if those by whom -these proceedings are carried on were in a state of open -hostility to Government; it feels compelled to anticipate -every extreme that can occur, and to publish to -the army at large the final resolutions which it has -adopted under this extraordinary and unparalleled -situation of affairs: and these resolutions will, it is satisfied, -be found to combine as much attention to the feelings -of the army as it is possible to show without a -sacrifice of the public interest, and an abandonment of -the authority and dignity of Government. The Governor -and Council can and does make every possible -allowance for feeling so strongly excited as those of the -officers of the coast army have been, and is disposed to -refer that great agitation of mind into which they have -been thrown by a concurrence of causes which must -greatly mitigate, if they do not altogether extenuate, -that degree of criminality which must always attach to -such proceedings: and, under such impressions, he can -view their extreme solicitude regarding those of their -brother officers whom he has thought it his duty to -suspend the service, with that consideration which is -due to a highly meritorious body of officers, acting under -the strong impulse of warm and honourable, but mistaken -feelings. And with such sentiments he cannot -deem it derogatory to Government to state, that he intends, -in the full confidence that the officers of the coast -army will abandon their present dangerous course of -proceeding, to recommend to the Honourable the Court -of Directors the restoration to the service of those officers, -whose suspension, and the reasons which led to it, have -been reported to them, and who are consequently the -only authority by which that act can be repealed: and -he can have no doubt, but the earnest desire of their -brother officers, combined with the high character which -most of the officers under suspension formerly held, will -induce the Honourable Court to overlook their late conduct, -and comply with this recommendation. Acting -upon the same principle, Government is pleased to -appoint Colonel Bell to the charge of the battalion of -artillery at the Mount, and Colonel Chalmers to the -command of the subsidiary force in Travancore. Lieutenant -Maitland is appointed quarter-master of the -European regiment of infantry.</p> - -<p>"The committee of inquiry ordered to assemble at Masulipatam -is repealed; and no act, either of any body, -or of individual officers in the Company's service, of -which no cognizance has yet been taken, and which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -occurred before the present date, will be made subject of -future notice, or even operate to the disadvantage of -such body of officers or individuals, unless they should, -by a perseverance in the same course, and a repetition -of the same conduct, forfeit all claim to such lenity and -consideration at a moment when Government has taken -such steps to tranquillize the agitated minds of the army, -and to leave even the most mistaken without a plea for -perseverance in their present dangerous course. It -must declare its positive and final resolution neither to -alter nor modify this proceeding. It will yield no more -to the entreaties or demands of the army: and if any -officers are so infatuated, and so lost to every consideration -of the public good and the general prosperity of -their country, as not immediately, on the promulgation -of this order, to abandon their present course of proceeding, -Government must, however much it may deprecate -such an extreme, meet it with that firmness and courage -which becomes a constituted authority of the Empire -of Great Britain. It has contemplated this possible, -though, it trusts, highly improbable event; and the -different officers entrusted with command are directed, -should any spirit of turbulence and insubordination appear -among the officers of the troops under their command, -to punish the individuals with all the severity of martial -law. And should the operation of the regular course of -justice be impeded, either by a combination among the -officers or men, such will instantly be proclaimed rebels -against the legal authority of Government and their -country; as Government is perfectly satisfied that the -public interests will receive more injury from any effort -to conciliate men who persevere (after what has passed) -in principles so opposite to the restoration of order and -discipline, than it even can meet from them as open -enemies to their King and Country."</p> - -<p>I am aware that a thousand objections may be made to -an order of this nature; but it must only be tried by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -times; matters have arrived at such a crisis, that something -decided must instantly be done. There is not an hour for -delay. And what I have suggested is only the first proclamation -in a war that seems to me, even with this step, -almost unavoidable. If human means could avoid it, this -act will; for it holds out every motive that can incline men -to good and deter them from evil. It concedes, no doubt, -in some points; but the case is urgent, and the spirit of -concession is corrected by the firmness and resolution which -is mixed with it. But your own mind will suggest every -thing. I am, as you know, devoted to the cause of my -country. It will depend upon you where I am to act, if -matters draw to an extreme. I should prefer my station at -Mysore, as that in which I have most influence, and could, -in consequence, contribute most to the support of the -public interests. I cannot conclude without again entreating -you not to allow yourself to be lulled into security, -and to be satisfied of the absolute necessity of taking some -steps or another to save the state from the imminent -danger to which it is exposed. But inaction, even dangerous -as it is, may be better than the commencement of -a coercive system, before steps have been taken to gain -more friends to Government than it has at present in the -army: and I confess I can see no mode of doing this but -by a measure which is completely decided and final; and -which, while it grants every indulgence even to erroneous -feelings, looks to the close of this great question with a -moderate and conciliatory, but a firm and manly spirit. I -shall be most anxious for your sentiments, as soon as possible, -on the line I am to pursue at this place. The -question of the marines, and the removal of some of the -officers, had, I find, (for they have shown me all their -papers,) been anticipated by the other stations; and the -opposition here was in part by instruction: and subsequent -letters sufficiently show, that this case is no longer that -one, nor of the garrison of Masulipatam, but of the whole -army; and that they are most deeply pledged to the support<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -of each other. Indeed <i>there cannot be a doubt</i> but -the punishment of any one would cause the whole to break -out. This I feel it my duty to avoid, as well as to prevent -their marching, which was their intention, and which -they expect to be called upon to do, till I know the -general line you mean to pursue.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I am, my dear sir, &c.<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>Private, and Secret.</i>)</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 6th July.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>After my letter of yesterday I have little to -add. I can only again implore your most serious consideration -to the whole question, and your instant decision -on the line that is to be pursued; not merely here, but -with the whole army. No half measures will at this -moment answer: and unless some effort is made to appease -the minds of the deluded officers of this army, you must -make military preparations to reduce them to order; and -these must be directed against every station under your -Presidency: for though success may be various, an -effectual opposition will be made at all; and none are -more violent than some of those nearest the Presidency. -If you adopt a measure of the nature that I recommended -yesterday, it should be <i>quite final</i>; and therefore embrace -every concession and act of conciliation <i>that you can make</i>, -without a substantial sacrifice of the dignity of Government.</p> - -<p>I can think of no improvement to this order, except<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -you conceive the great object of avoiding hostilities would -justify the following addition to it:</p> - -<p>"Government received a representation from a number -of the officers of the coast army, in which they solicited -the equalization of their allowances with those of the -officers of the Bengal army. This is a subject, the -consideration of which must exclusively rest with the -Court of Directors, under whose notice this application -will, <i>in course</i>, be brought, and by whose decision it -will be the duty of the officers of the coast army to -abide."</p> - -<p>This order, which is only a repetition of facts added to -what I suggested yesterday, would, I think, <i>if firmly acted -upon</i>, completely end the present agitation; or, at all -events, you would only have a part to combat instead of -the whole. Every man who was not lost to reason and -loyalty would be recovered; and the few that resisted, if -any did, would soon be reduced. This mode of settlement -would, it may be stated, give a triumph to the army, -establish a dangerous precedent, and violate fundamental -principles of the Indian Government: but it is not principles, -but an empire, that is in danger: and what other -course can be adopted? No man can calculate the consequences -of a contest between Government and its army. -The delusion which prevailed, that the officers would -never proceed to extremes, is now completely dissipated. -I have read papers, from almost every division, calling -upon this garrison to commence opposition; and I, -two hours ago, read another paper from the Hyderabad -force, approving of the proceedings of the garrison at this -place in the cases of the marines and Colonel Innes, declaring -it to be the cause of the whole, and promising full -support. I knew papers of the same kind will be received, -as fast as the tappals can bring them, from every station -in the army, and that they are all pledged never to let a -man or officer of this garrison be punished for a proceeding -which they consider (and with truth) to have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -caused by the general state of discontent and turbulence in -the army. The garrison here are equally impelled to -action by a sense of their danger from what has passed, -and a desire to obtain credit with their brother officers for -being the first to step forward in the common cause. My -authority was at first disputed; and they have subsequently -tried, by every means that men could use, to -obtain from me promises of amnesty and of inaction, in the -event of their being forced to move at the call of their -brother officers. Such promises I have, of course, steadily -refused; and I have taken advantage of every moment to -diffuse better sentiments: but I should deceive you if I -stated that my success went further than to keep them -quiet. For the moment they are quiet; and, unless a -movement is made by the Hyderabad and Jaulnah force, -I think they will remain so, till some general measures are -adopted by the whole: and I have (I hope not erroneously) -considered, that to keep them, by any means that do not -compromise my own authority or that of Government, -from acting at such a moment, is an object of the greatest -importance; for if any one corps begins, there is no -remedy but in a war. If this was only a mutiny of the -garrison of Masulipatam, it would be an easy question, and -I should be proud to hazard my life in an effort to quell it -to morrow morning: but one step, of any description, -taken in this affair at the present moment, would undoubtedly -cause a general rise in the army: and it is, I conceive, -of ultimate importance, that you should know and -prepare for this great political danger; and I have consequently -laboured incessantly, and I hope with success, to -prevent its breaking out at this most inflammable of all -quarters.</p> - -<p>The officers here have written to other stations to know -whether they are to submit to the investigation of the -committee. They were greatly disappointed at my not -coming up, as they first expected, with powers to treat -with them. They would, no doubt, have been highly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -flattered at such a result to their violence; and I am -assured I need not state to you, that any mode would be -less injurious to the interests of Government, than that of -its even entering (as it once did) into a discussion with -the officers of its army upon this great question. If you -think you have not means to reduce the officers of this -army, or if you should not like to resort to them, there is -only one mode, that of issuing an order, conceding all -you can, without hazard to your authority, then coming to -issue in a bold and prompt manner. This, though it may -be thought a concession of some points, is still an act of -authority; and that character of the measure will maintain -the dignity of Government, which would be altogether -lost in a negotiation with its own officers.</p> - -<p>I am aware that the opinions which I have expressed -are very different from those you have heretofore maintained; -but the case is altogether changed. Steps of too -bold a nature have been taken, for the officers of the army -to retreat; and they will immediately proceed, unless -some measure is instantly adopted to arrest them in their -infatuated career of guilt. The question has become -entirely a practical one, and must be tried as such, as -much as if the country was suddenly invaded by an enemy -against whom we could use the means most calculated to -repel him, without any reference to general principles or -to precedent.</p> - -<p>The fact is, that course has been tried and has failed, -and another must be resorted to; and measures must be -taken, when the state is in less danger, to infuse better -principles, and to establish a more efficient control over -our Indian armies.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>Most Private.</i>)</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 7th July.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>You will hear the substance of my late -communications to Sir George; and you probably will not -quarrel with the opinions I have given, though others -may, who think more of maintaining consistency upon -paper, than of practical Government.</p> - -<p>I have no fear now of this garrison doing any thing, -unless other parts of the army break out; and that will -not, I hope, take place immediately<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a>. But something -must be done, as the danger of leaving them in this fermenting -state increases every hour. They are, in fact, -afraid to retract: and shame, despair, and hope, combine -to impel them forward. I know they are hastening to -their own destruction; but is it politic to let them destroy -themselves, even supposing that operation did not hurt -Government? Certainly not. And if that extreme can be -avoided by any measure which does not substantially -affect the authority of Government, it should be adopted. -Let us look near this bug-bear principle of consistency, at -which some men are so alarmed. The order of the 1st of -May was intended to break up a desperate conspiracy -against Government, which was in progress. It effected -the object: and now that a conspiracy has got head of a -more extensive nature, are we not to use the means which -seem likely to destroy it, because they are of a different -character from those used on the 1st of May, and in some -respect abrogates part of that proceeding? It is assuredly -the effect which should be our chief and sole object, and -we should quarrel with no means that do not <i>actually</i> impair -our strength or injure our dignity. Those I have -recommended would, I think, raise both.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> -<p>Tell Sir George I am incessant in my endeavours to -infuse better principles. I talk with all; and can hardly -myself believe the change which has in some respects been -produced. I have given them no promises, I have made -them no pledges; but I have told them I would take no -steps but in an open manly way, and that I expected they -would make no secret attempts against my authority. In -this they acquiesced. I have given them all my letters -regarding this unfortunate crisis, that to Doveton, &c. to -read; and I have painted to them, in the strongest colours, -the horrors and destruction which must follow an act of -any open departure from their duty. The facts I have -stated are not denied by the few among them who have -sense and moderation; but even they declare to me, that -they are pledged beyond the power of retracing their -steps.</p> - -<p>I wish some of those who are such resolute chamber-counsellors -had gone through the two first days I did with -these poor misguided men: it would have been a lesson -during life.</p> - -<p>I thank God I have established, without any compromise -or concession, the authority of Government over men -who had almost completely thrown it off; and I am -pleased at having done this in a manner that has led those -very deluded men to express gratitude for the consideration -I showed to their agitated feelings. I have referred -every thing to the wisdom of my superiors; and, happen -what will, I can never have cause for self-reproach.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 8th July.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>The only thing I have seen to-day, is a -letter from the committee at Jaulnah, intimating their approbation -of their proceedings here, and their resolution -to march the moment it became necessary to support -them.</p> - -<p>I saw a private letter from Hyderabad, stating that it -was the general opinion and wish there, that Masulipatam -should not be abandoned, and that two battalions and a -regiment of cavalry would be sent to support the troops of -this division. They consider themselves pledged to show -me all papers; and they do so: but the fact is, that it is a -new and important feature in this conspiracy, that they no -longer think any concealment necessary. Some measures -must instantly be taken with these deluded men, and Government -must go as far, the first step, as it ever can go, -to try and reclaim them. If little expedients or half measures -are taken, all will be confusion and trouble. Depend -upon it, the first King's corps that is moved, the whole -commences. Their private correspondence with Bengal -is now very active. I am personally here going on -smoothly and well, and lose not a moment in giving better -impressions: but though this may calm for the moment, -and dispose them to receive any thing like a considerate -decision, it will never stop proceeding.</p> - -<p>P.S. Our little party of artillery is true; but it is the -only party I yet know that can be depended upon.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<p class="center">(<i>Most private.</i>)</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 10th July.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I shall be glad to see Sir Arthur's papers. -When I wrote to Sir George, and proposed that he should, -along with every decided step, make some <i>reappointments</i>, -I, of course, meant to include several that I did not mention -by name: but if this principle is acted upon, Government -cannot be too large in their first order: any <i>thing little</i> -will spoil all. Gentlemen who lose by these arrangements, -should be declared, in public orders, to have the -right of succession to the first vacancies.</p> - -<p>There are more letters, advising Masulipatam to be -kept: and in one of to-day from the committee at Hyderabad, -I find they are equally public there in their proceedings; -so I suppose you must have heard from that -quarter, no order for the movement of a corps in any of -these divisions will be obeyed, nor even the removal of an -officer; so that the necessity of some measures being -adopted is quite indispensable. Perhaps Sir George Barlow -will wish to see me at Madras, with the report of the -committee; but this will be, perhaps, too great a delay. -Taylor or Irton should command this regiment.</p> - -<p>I saw a letter from Hyderabad to-day, written under a -conviction that the Bengal army had taken up their cause. -This, I have told them, is one of a thousand dangerous -errors into which they are led; but I do not think they -believe me, for they are completely infatuated.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 17th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have this moment received a letter from -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay of the 12th instant, from which -I observe, that you deem it impolitic to adopt any measures -of the nature I suggested in my letters of the 5th and 6th -July from this place. If I did not consider the present as -one of the most serious crises that ever this Empire was -placed in, I certainly should not again intrude myself -upon your notice; but I feel bold in the consciousness -that I am performing a duty of the most sacred nature; -and you will, I am assured, pardon the earnestness with -which I solicit leave to be allowed to report to you personally -the result of the proceedings here, and of all I have -seen or heard connected with the general combinations in -the army, as well as those means by which I think it may -be averted, or its objects (if it does occur) in some degree -defeated. It is quite impossible for me to convey to you -in any letter the extensive information I now possess upon -this subject; and I should only be four days in going to -Madras, and could return, if required, with equal celerity. -Little time would be lost by my making this journey; and -I feel satisfied its result might be of the utmost consequence -to the public interest.</p> - -<p>Major-General Pater will be here the day after to-morrow; -and no inconvenience would result from the -want of a high military authority: but I would not, of -course, proceed, if he thought there was any urgent call -for my remaining here. But such a trip would, I am -assured, tend to calm, instead of irritating men's minds, -as they would suppose I had gone to make a full representation -of all that had passed, all that I have observed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> - -<p>I entreat you to pay attention to this earnest request: -and if you do that, you will order Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay to station bearers as far as Ongole. I shall lay -them to that place, in the confidence that your kindness -will not deny me this opportunity of endeavouring to promote -the public interests by important communications.</p> - -<p>I beg you will not conceive that I am so presumptuous -as to hope to change any of those principles you have laid -down for the government of your conduct: but I am convinced -I can give a detailed information that will be useful, -under every aspect which the present danger may -assume.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I am, with respect,<br /> -Your's faithfully,<br /> -(Signed) J. MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I wrote last night, to request you would allow -me to post to Madras with the proceedings of the committee, -which I expect will be closed about the time I get -your answer. I am most solicitous that you should comply -with my request. There are circumstances connected with -what has taken place here, of a nature too delicate but for -personal explanation: and there are points not only relating -to what is likely to be done by the deluded officers of -this army, but to measures which Government may adopt -to counteract their designs, that I feel satisfied I could give -you the most useful information.</p> - -<p>Should any circumstances lead you to deny my request, -I hope, if you contemplate extreme measures, that you will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -early place me in a situation where I am conscious I can, -under all circumstances, be useful on the largest scale to -Government. I mean at my station of Mysore. The army -of that state is strong, and can be increased at a moment to -any number; and I hope you will consider that at its head -(should any serious misfortune occur) I am in my proper -place. Here, after I have executed the objects of my -mission, (which I understand to be, to prevent men rushing -into open rebellion, and to make inquiry into the causes -and reasons of what had passed,) I am only a regimental -officer at the head of a corps, with the officers and men of -which I can have no more influence than any other commanding -officer would have. There is a general officer -commanding on the spot, and the senior officer in the -division.</p> - -<p>I have already done all it is possible to do in disseminating -good feeling among these deluded men; but they -are lost to reason; and, except one or two, and those of -little influence, they appear (such is their delirium) to -desire the occurrence of that crisis which must end in their -ruin.</p> - -<p>I entreat you not to think that it is from any doubt of -the power of Government that I am so anxious for some -measure that will prevent the evils that are impending: it -is from a near contemplation of all the horrors of the scene -that is about to occur, and a conviction that both humanity -and policy require every effort to be made, to save a brave -and meritorious class of men from destruction.</p> - -<p>If any path was opened by which men led away by a -false sense of honour could retrace their steps, I believe -numbers would return to Government. If nothing is done, -and measures of a serious preparation or actual coercion -are taken, no human power can prevent the occurrence of -the most shocking scenes: and the name and reputation of -this army will, whatever is the event, be lost for ever.</p> - -<p>You will, I am sure, make allowances for my feelings: -they are communicated only to you. I am distressed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -unhappy to an extent I cannot describe; but I, of course, -maintain a different tone to those infatuated men under my -command, from whom I have not concealed my sentiments -with regard to the destruction they are bringing on their -own heads.</p> - -<p>General Pater is expected to-morrow. It will now be -his duty to report the state of this garrison. I shall intrude -no more upon this, or any subject connected with it, until -I have the honour of seeing you, which I trust will be at -an early period.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I remain<br /> -Your's faithfully,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I last night received your letter of the 12th -instant, and am most happy to learn that Sir George Barlow -approves of my first proceedings.</p> - -<p>I expect that Berkeley and Evans will be here the 21st -or 22d; and it is my decided opinion no investigation -should be made till they arrive. This inquiry must be -considered by the whole army as a regular military proceeding: -and the impression made by the appointment of -such a committee would be lost, if I was to execute its -duties: besides, the delay is trifling. If Sir George adopts -no measure which supersedes the object of this committee, -I should wish to be authorized to carry the report to Madras. -I will travel Dawk; and can, if required, return in the -same way. General Pater will be here; and Berkeley can,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -if necessary, be appointed to the temporary command of -the regiment; if Taylor<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> is not brought down, <i>which I -think he ought</i>, from Vizagapatam. Believe me it is of -the utmost consequence I should personally communicate -with Sir George Barlow upon the whole of this important -subject.</p> - -<p>I am glad Sir George Barlow has placed it at my discretion -to pardon, if I thought it necessary, the non-commissioned -and privates of this garrison: but no circumstance -short of an open attempt to throw off my authority can ever -lead me to think of such a step, as it would immediately -drive to despair the European commissioned officers, on -whose temper and moderation depends, at this moment, -the allegiance of almost all the officers of the Company's -army on the coast: for <i>one line</i> from this garrison would, -to my <i>positive knowledge</i>, at this moment spread the flames -of mutiny over the peninsula.</p> - -<p>Under such circumstances, of what consequence would -even a triumph over a few officers at Masulipatam be, -supposing that certain, unless you were prepared for contest -every where? I will never abandon my authority, or -fail in the performance of my duty; but I never shall -(<i>unless positively ordered</i>) take any step that I conceive -likely to involve my country in a civil war. Such an extreme -it must be the wish of Government to avoid as long -as it possibly can. Nothing, indeed, can justify its commencement, -but the total failure of every possible means to -prevent its occurrence.</p> - -<p>The present combination of the officers of the Company's -army against the Government has hardly a feature common -with an ordinary military mutiny; and therefore the -principles that would apply to the one, are by no means -applicable to the other. It is not the reduction of a corps -or garrison to order and obedience, but the reclaiming a -large body of men to their attachment and allegiance to -the state they serve, which is the object; and this never -can be done by partial measures, whether these are of a -lenient or a coercive nature.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> -<p>I have no doubt but Government would ultimately -triumph in the contest, if it commenced this moment; -but it would be a triumph over its own strength: and the -occurrence of such a rupture must produce consequences -that will shake our Indian Empire to its base.</p> - -<p>From the progress of the present agitation I fear Government -will not have much time for consideration<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a>: and it -should always be recollected, that in a crisis like the present -every thing depends on the moment at which measures -are adopted; and the same act which would be successful -to-day, would perhaps totally fail of producing the -desired effect if adopted a month hence.</p> - -<p>You will satisfy Sir George Barlow, that one of the first -things I did, after I came on shore, was to satisfy the minds -of the officers, and, through them, of the men, of the intentions -of Government in ordering a party of marines from -the corps: and you will see by the enclosed extract from -my journal<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a>, that I took the first <i>good</i> opportunity that -offered, of stating this fact in the most public and impressive -manner to the whole regiment.</p> - -<p>I am most anxious to hear from Sir G. Barlow, subsequent -to his receipt of my letters of the 5th and 6th -instant, as my mind is in a state of the most distressing -anxiety. I have, however, to support me, the consciousness -of having fulfilled my duty to him and to my -country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> - -<div class="right"> -Your's ever sincerely,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<p>P.S. I am again ordered to Persia by Lord Minto. -When will this life have an end?</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>A most violent letter was received from -the committee at Hyderabad yesterday, abusing the garrison -for suffering me to enter, and desiring my instant -removal, unless I promised that the orders of the 1st -of May should be rescinded. I have had a dreadful -struggle all day; but they are at last moderated in some -degree. Their present resolution is, to wait two days; -but as I mean to commence the inquiry to-morrow, agreeable -to the authority I have from Sir George, I trust they -will agree to-morrow to remain in their allegiance till the -result is known. I shall finish it in four days; and probably, -if General Pater acquiesces, carry it myself to -Madras. I beg you will post boys as far as Ongole. I -shall return, if necessary, instantly; and I can lose nothing -by the journey: and the information I shall have it in my -power to give, will be of ultimate importance under every -resolution Sir George takes.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Your's ever, most truly,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center">TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 19th July.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I wrote a short note to Colonel Barclay -last night, informing him of the change that had taken -place here, in consequence of the communication received -by the officers of the garrison from the different committees -of the other stations, and particularly that of the Hyderabad -force, in which they were instructed to call upon me for an -instant assurance that the orders of the 1st of May would be -rescinded: and, if I refused to give it, to throw off their -allegiance and obedience to Government; and they were -assured their example would be instantly followed by every -corps in the service: and part of the Hyderabad force was, -they were told, ready to march to their support. The ferment -which the receipt of those letters occasioned is not -to be described.</p> - -<p>I sent for some of the senior officers, and communicated -my sentiments regarding the irretrievable step this garrison -was on the point of taking; and pointed out, in the strongest -colours, all the horrors to which it would lead. I told -them I must proceed to do my duty if I found any rash -resolution was taken, and that it would prove the commencement -of the most horrid and unnatural contest that -ever occurred. The truth of my arguments were admitted -by some of those to whom I spoke; and their efforts, after -a great struggle, calmed the minds of the others so far, that -they agreed to wait for six days further. This, I stated, -was nothing. It was, in fact, better to come to issue at -once. That it had been my intention to have proceeded -(in consequence of authority I had received from you) instantly -into the inquiry of past transactions; and that I had -meant, if I had thought there was no fear of this garrison -throwing off its allegiance while I was absent, to have gone -to Madras, and made this report in person; but, if their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -sentiments did not alter, I could not carry that resolution -into execution. They stated their belief that the officers -of the garrison of Masulipatam would be most reluctant to -refuse assent to any proposition of mine that did not go to -detach them from that general cause to which they had -sworn to sacrifice their lives; and that though they knew, -from what had passed, that I would give them neither promises -nor pledges, nor even communicate my opinion of the -probable measures of Government, they hoped there would -be no objection to my proceeding; and a pledge would be -given, that unless other parts of the army moved, or threw -off their allegiance, that the garrison of Masulipatam would -remain dutiful and obedient till I returned to communicate -the resolution of Government, or till that was intimated -through some other channel.</p> - -<p>I have considered it of great importance to delay that -open opposition to which this garrison has been excited by -every station in the army, as I was certain, under whatever -circumstances it might occur, it would be the signal for the -whole to throw off their obedience. The garrison here is -not more than 1,100 effective men (exclusive of the artillery); -and if an effort had been successful to detach the -men from their officers, who are, to a man, combined -against Government, it would not have prevented the explosion; -it would but have increased that despair and -madness which are impelling men to these acts of disobedience: -and no partial benefit that could have arisen, -would have counterbalanced the general effect of this -measure. Besides, I cannot speak with confidence of the -success of this attempt: the <i>men even</i> of this garrison have -been already debauched from their duty; and as it has -been hitherto my object to reclaim the officers to their -allegiance, and at all events to delay the execution of their -plans, it was incompatible with the success of such a line -of conduct to attempt to sound their men, or to make any -private efforts to shake their attachment to their officers. -Such attempts would have produced an instant open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -mutiny: and this, for causes before stated, I was anxious -to avoid. Besides, such an expedient would have been -baneful to the service, and was not to be resorted to while -a hope remained of reclaiming the officers to a sense of -their duty.</p> - -<p>I hope these reasons will satisfy you of the wisdom of -the part I have taken; and you must see, that unless I -wish to precipitate the general revolt of the whole of the -Company's army, I could not, if I remained here and -waited your answer to my report, take any steps with the -men to secure their fidelity: and I shall (if it is your wish -I should) return to this command with your final orders, as -strong, and probably stronger, in influence, (as coming -direct from the seat of authority,) as I should have been, -had I remained till your answer was received.</p> - -<p>There is little chance of any thing occurring when I am -away, as most stations look to this; and the result of your -proceedings on the report I make will be awaited. Thus -the Government will gain time, which, under every plan -you can mean to pursue, must be an advantage to you, and -a disadvantage to those combined against your authority. -Their insanity is at this instant at its height; and every -moment that action is delayed, reason has a chance of operating. -Besides, their committees are likely to differ in -opinions; and this is a proof of weakness some of them -already begin to discover.</p> - -<p>I have not lost a moment, as I will show you by my -journal, and letter book, when I arrive, in disseminating -correct sentiments, and in exposing to them in the boldest -manner the true nature of that deep guilt on which they -are rushing.</p> - -<p>I have drawn their attention to a very different picture -of the dangers and ruin that will attend their perseverance -in this course from what they have hitherto contemplated; -and though the proceedings have brought a thousand -calumnies upon my head, I know great effect has been -produced in the quarters where it is most essential; among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -the senior and thinking part, whom it has been my object -to rouse; as I am satisfied, if extremes are resorted to, -they will command the men.</p> - -<p>When to all the reasons I have stated for my proceeding -to Madras immediately, (that is, in three or four days from -this date,) is added the advantage you may receive from -the very extensive information I can give you of the -temper of the army, and of their general plans of combination -and action, I cannot but anticipate your approbation -of this step. At all events, you must be satisfied -nothing but a conscientious conviction of its being essential -to the public interests could have led me to take it without -your previous sanction.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I am, with respect,<br /> -Yours faithfully,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<p>P.S. I have, since writing the above, seen some of the -senior officers, who assure me that they and their brother -officers are as jealous of my honour as they would be of -their own; and that if I think it necessary to go to Madras, -they will pledge themselves for the orderly and dutiful -conduct of the whole till my return, unless in the very unlikely -case of other stations rising in arms, which they will -do every thing in their power to prevent, by representing -to them the pledge they have made, which they will assure -them is voluntary, and has been made without the slightest -promise from me. I have, indeed, cautiously avoided -any communication that could lead them to believe I entertained -an opinion that Government would make any -concession; and the same language is held, in the private -letters I have communicated to them, with regard to the -actual situation of the army at this moment.</p> - -<p>I feel now much more assured of the continued subordination -of this garrison during the period of my absence -than if I was present.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 21st July, 1809.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Barclay</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>An account has just arrived of the opposition -of the 2d of the 10th to obey the orders of Government. -This has caused little sensation in the garrison, and is not -expected to be followed by any movement at Hyderabad; -and I feel confident now, that nothing but one of the divisions -marching will make this deluded garrison stir a step -further. I shall be with you on the 26th. I wish I could -fly, as I am assured I can give Sir George Barlow the most -complete information regarding the whole character of this -wide disaffection.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Yours sincerely,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Private Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Malcolm</span><br /> -<i>to Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">M<sup>c</sup>Leod</span>, <i>dated Masulipatam,<br /> -20th July, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear M<sup>c</sup>Leod</span>,</p> - -<p>I have received your kind letter of the -8th instant; but fear your hopes of my success will be -disappointed. The voice of passion is alone heard; and -every man that speaks with temper and reason is condemned -and calumniated.</p> - -<p>The crisis, in fact, if not arrived, appears now near at -hand, when every officer in the Company's service must -determine whether he will maintain his allegiance to the -Government he serves, to his King and Country, or decidedly -throw it off; and assuredly there is no individual -who claims a title to any spirit of independence, who will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -not exercise his judgment upon a question which must so -deeply involve all his future prospects and happiness.</p> - -<p>If ever there was a moment in which it was important -for men to look at those consequences which are likely to -ensue from one step more in their course, it is the present; -and it is assuredly worth while to pause for a moment, and -examine coolly the nature of our grievances, and the -length we are justified in going to obtain redress of them, -and the probable consequences to ourselves and to our -country of throwing off our allegiance to the state.</p> - -<p>There were accounts by the last dispatches that the -existence of grievances in this army was already a topic -of public discussion. General M<sup>c</sup>Dowall and Colonel -Capper have no doubt arrived before this in England, and -they would be soon followed by Colonel St. Leger, and the -other suspended officers. Is it not evident, that, with all -the aggrieved parties in England, the public records which -must be transmitted there, and the voluminous private -correspondence which every ship, since those transactions -took place, has carried home, that every one of the topics -of complaint will be a subject of warm discussion; and -will not the agitation they have created in the army be -brought fully forward? And have we not reason to conclude, -from all these circumstances, that an early settlement of -these questions will be made by those authorities, by whom -they must at all events be ultimately judged, unless this -country should permanently throw off its allegiance and -obedience to England? As far as we can judge from the -past, there appears reason to anticipate a fair and liberal -decision from the controlling authorities at home, who have -certainly hitherto judged questions of this nature with -great attention to both the feelings and the interests of the -Indian army. With this prospect, can we be justified in -resorting to such desperate extremes, because we are discontented -with the acts of a temporary local Government, -and not only involving ourselves in ruin, but injuring, in -the deepest manner, our country, at a moment when it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -the duty of every man, who has a spark of patriotism in -his breast, to support her against the numerous and powerful -enemies by whom she is assailed.</p> - -<p>But we proceed, it is said, in the certainty that Government -must see those evils, and that it will give way, in -order to avert them; and that, indeed, it has no power, if -it wished, to oppose our spirited and united demand of a -full redress of grievances. Let us examine those points. -Government may see great evils in our resistance of its -authority, but it may perceive still greater in yielding to -the peremptory demands of an armed body confederated -for the purpose of intimidating it into concession. It is -the extreme of the pressure, in cases of this nature, which -too often causes the resistance; and as to its power of -opposing any attack upon its authority, it is perhaps much -greater than we at this moment calculate. There can be -no doubt of the fidelity of all the King's troops to Government. -It has a large body, not less than ten thousand disciplined -infantry, four thousand horse, and sixteen thousand -peons, belonging to the Mysore Government, all -perfectly at its devotion: and it will, whenever a rupture -takes place, gain, through the influence of some of the -older officers, many of the native battalions. It will raise -more troops. It will be compelled to promote officers from -King's regiments; to give commissions to serjeants; to -raise young men at once to rank, and reward with promotion -all who leave their brother officers before a certain -date: after which, those in arms against its authority will -be proclaimed rebels; and their men, both Europeans and -natives, tempted to desert and betray them by every inducement -and encouragement that can be offered. All the -means of Government, whatever they are, will be organized -and regular; and with such it will probably triumph: but, -alas! its triumph will be over its own strength. It will be -in the destruction of those who are its support and glory; -and, as such, must be ten times more mournful than the -most signal defeat from a foreign enemy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<p>Let us view the other side. When men had once passed -the Rubicon, and commenced opposition to Government, -what would be their plans? They must be settled by distant -and probably divided committees: and every young -officer would feel, in such a situation of affairs, a right to -examine the actions of his superiors: and could any man, -under such circumstances, when the chain of discipline -was broken, rely on the order and fidelity of his troops? -What could be offered to induce them to resist the temptations -held out by Government? And if they did not -desist, would they be equal to encounter the army of the -state? But say they are superior; that they were led on -to victory, and all our mad passions were gratified: at -what point would we arrive? Could we expect our King -and Country to receive us again into favour, when our -hands were red with the blood of British subjects, that we -had led and assisted the natives of India to shed? And -could we expect those natives would allow a few officers to -continue their rule over them, after they had been taught -to contemn the authority and slaughter the soldiers of the -British Government? But it is stated, that we have gone -so far, that to retreat would be to expose ourselves to shame -and degradation. Gracious God! What an argument is -this? Would men, recollecting themselves on the verge -of guilt, and stopping, under the action of loyal and -patriotic motives, in a career to which they had been led -by strong feelings of injury, be subject of reproach or -disgrace? Would it not raise their reputation higher than -ever, and entitle them to look for a redress of their grievances, -with a proud confidence, to that Country to which -they had so strongly proved their attachment? Could it -fail of exciting feelings even in the local Government, which -must lead to those very conciliatory acts, which will be in -vain expected, if sought with the bayonet?</p> - -<p>This is the picture which presents itself to my mind of -the scene now before us. I contemplate it with horror. -And you may judge my present feelings, when I declare<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -to God, that though I must part with those of my brother -officers who are so deluded as to rush into an open warfare -with the Government they serve, and their Country, I -shall, I am satisfied, be happier if I fall by the first ball -that is fired in this horrid and unnatural contest, than if I -lived to see it terminated.</p> - -<p>I see no possible mode in which the impending evils -can be averted, but by the action of the good and loyal -feelings of the majority of the officers of the army; and of -this action I do not yet despair. I must, indeed, to the last -continue to hope that this noble spirit will show itself, and -snatch us from the gulf of destruction. I am now busy -with an inquiry into past proceedings at this place, with -the report of which I shall proceed in a few days to -Madras; and may God grant my efforts may be useful in -averting the shocking calamities that are impending!</p> - -<p>At all events, I shall have fulfilled my duty to my -brother officers, to Government, and to my Country; and -that reflection will, under every event, be a consolation -during my existence.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I am yours sincerely,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - -<p>N. B. An extract from a letter from Hyderabad, dated -the 12th of August, 1809, from Lieutenant Watson of the -artillery, to Major Morrison, at Madras, will show the -effect this letter produced among the most violent at that -station.</p> - -<p>"In these troubled times it requires the full exercise of -a man's judgment upon a question which must so deeply -involve all his future prospects and happiness. Colonel -Malcolm has written at this crisis a very able and elegant -letter, to which a liberal consideration, I am -happy to say, has been given."</p> - -<p>And the following passage from a letter lately received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -from Lieutenant Little, at Madras, conveys a testimony, -which, though probably exaggerated, is a strong corroboration -of this fact.</p> - -<p>"You may recollect, during the late unhappy disturbances -at this place, having wrote a long letter to -Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Leod, pointing out the melancholy consequences -that would finally ensue if the army continued -to persist in their opposition to Government. A copy -of this letter was sent to Captain Carfrae, at Hyderabad, -and by him shown to the force; the greatest part of -whom, a short time afterwards, declared to Major -Agnew, that they were chiefly influenced by this letter -to sign the test of obedience to Government."</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> I have not complete evidence of this fact.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> This chiefly alludes to the officers of the corps.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> This was afterwards discovered to be a forgery.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> I mean not in two or three weeks.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Taylor is an excellent <i>steady</i> officer, has great weight with the regiment, -(particularly the men); and <i>though</i> he signed some papers, is, I feel -satisfied, true to his country and the Government.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> There are two distinct measures now in progress; one, <i>an appeal to -Bengal</i>; and the other, <i>a plan</i> to obtain, by operation of a combined nature, -if they cannot by remonstrance, the repeal of the orders of the 1st of -May.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> I sent Colonel Barclay a copy of my speech to the regiment on the -15th of July; and yet <i>I am accused</i> by the Government of Fort St. George -of not making this communication.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. II.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Journal</span> <i>of Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Malcolm</span>,<br /> -<i>at Masulipatam, from the 4th to the 22d of<br /> -July 1809</i>.</p> - - -<p><i>4th July.</i> Landed from the Victor sloop of war at 10 -o'clock A. M. Was received by several officers, Major -Storey, Captain Andrews, Captain Cotgreve, and some -others, at the pier-head. As I went in at the Fort gate -the European sentry stopped me, apparently to take my -sword, but was ordered to desist by one of the officers. -As I went to Captain Andrews' quarters I showed the -orders appointing me to the command of the regiment and -the garrison, as well as those for the military committee. -Captain A. said he hoped I would not insist on taking the -command, in the situation affairs were then in. I said I -must, and desired the fort-adjutant to be sent for, to -publish the orders. After we arrived at Captain A.'s house -we were joined by several officers. Among others were -Major Hazlewood, 24th, Captain Kelly of the 19th, and -Messrs. Forbes, Nixon, and Lieutenant Spankie, of the -European regiment. A long, desultory, and warm discussion -took place, in which I stated all those arguments -that I thought could moderate their minds and bring them -to a better feeling. I particularly insisted on the consequences -that must attend any of those desperate measures -they had intended; and entreated them not to rush into a -course which was likely to be so ruinous to themselves, -and to have such dangerous consequence to their country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -at a moment when every man should feel it his duty to -die, rather than promote, by any act, the designs of her -numerous and implacable enemies. I called to their recollection, -that the inquiry that was instituted was quite of -a military nature, and such as they had themselves -required; and that to oppose my authority, or to object to -this investigation, was at once to declare war with Government. -I added to this declaration an assurance, that no -proceeding that was not in consistence with military usage -would result from the investigation. Their answers were, -for the first two hours of this discussion, made under the -strong influence of passion. They had already, they said, -taken their line: they knew they had gone too far to -retract; and they were certain of support from the whole -army, to whom they had pledged themselves. They had -first expected, they said, force would be employed; and -their preparations had been made in concert with the -Hyderabad force to meet that emergency. They could, -they said, show me the plan. I replied, with great -warmth, I did not desire to see it. Such were my -feelings, that I would not for the world have the guilt of -such knowledge upon my mind. They recounted at great -length, and with much heat, all the grievances they -shared with others, and those that particularly related to -the European regiment, which had been, they said, -calumniated and stigmatized; one officer removed, and -another banished, without a hearing: and when they -remonstrated, they were told from head-quarters they -<i>were to be disbanded</i>: and, after this communication, they -were driven to mutiny by a large party (100 men) being -ordered, professedly as a punishment, to act as marines on -board his Majesty's ships. I told them, I was aware that -much misrepresentation had taken place, and they might -have some reason to complain; but the merits of the case -could never be known without a full and temperate investigation: -and it was on that account the committee was -ordered, <i>even before the Government insisted on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -marines embarking</i><a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a>. They had therefore, as a body of -officers, their choice, either to recognise my authority and -allow this proceeding to take its course, or to place themselves -at once in opposition to Government: there was no -medium. They wished me to promise an amnesty for all -that had been done here; or, at least, that I would recommend -one. I said I would do neither; I would do my -duty, and what I was ordered. I had thought it, I added, -no departure from my duty to speak to them in the manner -I had done, and should be happy if any thing I had -said brought them to reason and reflection. They retired -to another room; and I was informed by Major Hazlewood, -that I had wrought such a change in them, that he -hoped they would abandon the violent resolution they had -taken.</p> - -<p>They soon returned, and said they had done so, and -submitted to my authority. Government had, they said, -by the act of selecting me, taken the only step that could -have stopped for an instant the course of operations which -they, in concert with the whole of the Company's army, -had resolved instantly to commence, in order to obtain -redress of their intolerable grievances: and they desired -me to understand, that it was consideration for a brother -officer, who held that high place in their esteem, which he -did in that of the whole army, that induced them to lay -aside for the present all their schemes, and to yield him -their obedience: and, as a proof of the truth of this sentiment, -they declared I was the only officer of rank in India -they would have admitted into the garrison; and that it -had been resolved to have shut the gates on the Commander-in-Chief, -had he arrived, as was once expected. -I was too well satisfied with the substance of their submission -to authority, to quarrel about the form of it. I instantly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -ordered the sentries to be taken off Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes, and waited upon that officer, who I found -(as was to be expected) much irritated at what had occurred: -but I discovered, from his communications, too much -cause for those excesses that had taken place. He is, I -make no doubt, a good and a conscientious man; but his -imprudence, combined with the impressions he brought -from Madras, and the unguarded private communications -he has since received, and made public, from a very high -authority, were calculated to goad men into mutiny in -common times, and could not fail of producing that effect -at a moment like the present, when the whole of the Company's -army is in a state of open disaffection to Government. -I explained to Lieutenant-Colonel Innes the reasons -that had led to my appointment, and advised him to -be moderate and guarded, which he promised me he -would.</p> - -<p>I dined this evening with the mess of the regiment. -There were a great number of gentlemen of other corps -present. Their usual toast of "the friends of the army" -was given with three times three, and I joined in it, with -an observation, "that it was a very general toast, as I was -assured it included most men both in India and England." -After we had sat some time, and had a number -of songs, a gentleman sung a sea-song, in which the -expression "common cause" was frequently repeated. -This was caught at by some of the younger officers, who -were heated; and, at their motion, the whole rose to drink -the "common cause." As I could not mistake the meaning -they attached to this toast, I felt for a moment embarrassed, -but, rising and filling a bumper, I immediately -repeated, in as loud and as warm a manner as I could, -"<i>the common cause of our Country</i>;" and my amendment -was received and drank with acclamation. I soon -afterwards left their table, and heard, as I retired, my -health toasted with three times three. Thus closed the -most anxious day I ever passed in my life. May my -efforts be successful in reclaiming these men from the -errors into which they have plunged!</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> -<p><i>5th July.</i> I had a visit from several of the gentlemen -I saw yesterday, at Mr. Savage's Gardens, (my place of -residence). They seem yet to be uneasy and unsettled in -their minds. They showed me several papers from different -stations in the army, by most of which they were -called upon to act instantly, and with a decided spirit: -the strongest assurances given them of support and co-operation. -Arrack for the Europeans had, I found, been -sent to Gundoor, the first march towards Hyderabad; and -every thing was prepared to move as to-day. They again -repeated their wish for some general assurance of not -suffering for what had passed; and this was accompanied -by some hints on the line they might be forced to pursue -regarding me; though they expressed the concern with, -which they would have resort to such an extreme. I -smiled, and said, they could not expect, from the knowledge -they had of my character, that any motive on earth -would ever induce me to deceive them, or to evade my -duty; that to give them a promise of amnesty that I was -not authorized to give them, would be deceit; and to be -deterred from doing what I conscientiously thought my -duty, from any fear of consequences, was, they must be -satisfied, altogether unworthy of that reputation I had -hitherto supported. They went away (after showing me -some further papers, which they had just received, of the -same character I had seen before) apparently satisfied -with my answer. They communicated to me a report that -had been drawn out of my conversation of yesterday, -which they meant, they said, to send to Hyderabad, &c. -and begged I would correct it, lest they should have misstated -any of my observations. I thanked them for their -candour, and corrected the paper; the circulation of which -appeared to me calculated to do good.</p> - -<p>The senior officers in this garrison are impelled to throw -off their allegiance from a consciousness of having already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -gone too far, and seeing their only hope of individual -safety in all being equally involved in the deepest guilt; -while their juniors are flattered by the importance which -they obtain in times of anarchy and trouble, and see nothing -but distinction in being the first to step forward in -what they deem the general cause of the army. I have -written Sir G. Barlow my full sentiments on the present -unprecedented and alarming situation of affairs.</p> - -<p><i>6th July.</i> I went into the Fort to-day, and saw the -regiment under arms. I also visited the hospital and barracks. -I had afterwards a long and serious conversation -with an officer (A.), who spoke not his own sentiments, he -said, but those of the garrison, when he entreated from me -a pledge that I would not oppose any proceedings this garrison -might feel itself forced to take, in co-operation with -other parts of the army. I smiled at this proposition, which, -as I told the gentleman, required a concession which it was -altogether unworthy of me to make; and that the gentlemen -who had desired him to make it would be sensible -that it was so, if they gave it a second thought. I added, -"I shall, however, put your minds at rest, if you will put -mine." I will take no step relative to the officers of this -garrison, except in a fair, open, manly manner; and I expect, -in return, they will make no secret attempts, or underhand -efforts, to injure or oppose my authority. He went -away, after assuring me that he was convinced what I had -stated would give satisfaction, and that the officers under -my command would be solicitous to show me they were -deserving of that temper and consideration with which I -treated them. I spoke to a number of officers to-day, and -circulated a number of my private letters among them. -This mark of confidence would, I knew, please; and the -sentiments expressed in these papers were calculated to -bring them back to reason and reflection. I wrote again -fully to Sir George Barlow.</p> - -<p><i>7th July.</i> I went early into the Fort. From conversations -I had with several officers, I found that I had succeeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -in my efforts to restore the temper of the garrison; -that they felt grateful for the moderation which I had -shown; and some were sorry they had been so warm in -their expressions at their first interview. I saw this day -a communication from Hyderabad, and one from Jaulnah; -both of which forces were prepared to support the garrison -in the event of their acting in opposition to Government.</p> - -<p><i>8th July.</i> Nothing particular occurred this day. Some -further communications from the westward were shown to -me; one of which strongly recommended Masulipatam -being kept, and not abandoned; and a force of two battalions -of sepoys and one regiment of cavalry were promised -to support the garrison, and the corps of the district, -all of whom they appeared to think would join. I entered -at great length this day into the whole subject with M. H., -who, I knew, was in intimate communication with all the -senior officers, and had some influence even with the junior. -I pointed out to this officer what must be the consequence -of the whole or any part of the Company's army plunging -down that precipice, on the brink of which they were now -standing. I exposed the falseness of that confidence on -which numbers were proceeding; how they would be deserted -by their brethren and their men, when Government -was compelled to declare them in rebellion. I pointed out -how wretched their means, how unconnected their plans; -and demanded, if even they had double the numbers, if -he thought, after the chain of discipline was once broken, -and when they were commanded by committees, and every -boy thought he possessed the right to question the authority -of his superior, whether it was possible to oppose the -organized army that must, under all circumstances, remain -with Government, and which must every day gain strength -from their ranks? The whole of the king's army was, I -said, decidedly with Government: and if the last step was -taken, many of the Company's officers, and those probably -who had the most influence with the native troops, would -range on the side of authority. I knew this, I said, to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -fact, because I had letters, fully expressive of their sentiments, -from some of the best and most popular officers in -the army. I was myself, I said, of that opinion, and proud -to state it. I had been in this army since I was twelve -years of age; and such was my regard for my brother officers, -that I would give my life to see the present unfortunate -disputes happily adjusted: but if any circumstances -whatever led these officers to rise in rebellion against their -King and Country, and such they would do the moment -they threw off their allegiance to the legal constituted authority -in India, I must stand in the opposite rank: and I was -convinced so many would be found of the same sentiments, -that Government must triumph, though I allowed such a -triumph would be one over its own strength, and consequently -more mournful than the most signal defeat from a -foreign enemy. I added, that I would, for the sake of -argument, suppose, what I conceived impossible, that -Government was destroyed in the conflict, what would be -the consequence of this victory to a few officers who had -led the natives of India to the murder of their countrymen -and to the destruction of the British Government? Would -these natives allow them to live and rule over them? Or -would they not be tempted to practise, for the last time, -the lesson they had been taught, and get rid at once of a -race whose rule they had been taught to consider as oppressive -and tyrannical? Supposing they did not, would -the King and people of England be ready to make peace -with men whose hands were red with the blood of their -countrymen? Would they not rather, if they did not abandon -this quarter of India altogether, attempt its reconquest? -And to what consequence would that lead? You say, I -added, that your grievances are intolerable, and that if -you abandon your attempts to obtain redress the coast -army will be disgraced, while, if you persist with firmness -and spirit, Government (which must be aware of all the -consequences I have stated) must give way. To this I answer: -No grievances of the description this army now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -has, can warrant its having recourse to arms, because they -are such as must come under the cognizance of the controlling -and legislative authorities in England, who are alone -competent to notice and redress them: and this army, so -far from being degraded by a moderate proceeding at a -moment like the present, would raise its reputation higher -than ever; because it would prove to all the world that it -possessed a spirit of the highest loyalty and patriotism; -and that when a variety of circumstances had combined to -throw it into a flame, the action of these feelings had subdued -every other, and it was contented rather to suffer, -till the superior authorities in England could judge all -those questions on which it thought itself aggrieved, than -endanger the general interest of the country. Would -such sentiments, I asked, redound to the disgrace or to -the honour of this army? With respect, I observed, to -the probability of Government giving way, if assailed -with unanimity, firmness, and spirit, there was, I feared, -a great and dangerous error. Government could not give -way, as it was termed, beyond a certain point, without destroying -itself; and it had better fall by any hands than its -own. It was the very pressure, I added, that was brought -against it, that forced it to resistance: and, besides, what -were the points which it was required to yield? In the -present agitated period of the army, every committee, every -individual, had a different opinion; and if it were possible -to collect the general sense of the army, I believe, in their -present irritated state, concessions would be required that -would amount to the virtual abolition of the existing local -Government of this Presidency. It was no doubt, I observed, -the duty of Government to take every step that it -could take with dignity to restore temper, and to compose -men's minds; but I, for one, would never blame it for refusing -its consent to its own death; and such I should consider -any act that made a substantial sacrifice of its strength or -authority. From the answer of the gentleman to whom -these observations were made, I could perceive that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -and many others had been led on from step to step, without -contemplating the extreme which was now so likely. -It was also evident that the younger part of the army were -no longer manageable: they had run away with the rest, -who considered themselves too deeply pledged to retreat; -and they appeared afraid of the instant obloquy that was -cast on every person who withdrew himself.</p> - -<p><i>9th July.</i> As this was Sunday I went to a dressed -parade of the regiment, and afterwards visited the hospital -and barracks. Nothing particular occurred to-day: all -the officers I saw seemed to have returned to good temper; -and I can have no fear of this garrison breaking out into -any extreme unless the example is given by other parts of -the army.</p> - -<p><i>10th July.</i> I went early into the Fort. A singular instance -occurred to-day, to show how little men reflect whose -minds are in a state of agitation. I was told, before I went -to the Fort, that accounts had been received of every thing -in Madras being in a state of confusion, and that some great -event had happened there. When in the Fort, the letter -that gave rise to this belief was shown me. It was dated -Hyderabad the 5th July; and said a letter had that moment -been received from Madras reporting the confusion -which had arisen at that place; and stating that his correspondent, -no doubt, "had heard of the remarkable event -that had occurred to give rise to it." The moment I -saw this communication I pointed out the date; and observed -it was an evident allusion to what had occurred at -Masulipatam on the 25th June, which had reached Madras -the 30th; and the bustle it created had been termed confusion, -and sent round again, <i>via</i> Hyderabad, to Masulipatam. -This was so clearly the fact, that the only astonishment -that was left, was how it had not struck somebody -before. By letters from Hyderabad it appears they make -no secret of their proceedings. One corresponding officer -writes, who says he had received a most extraordinary communication, -from good authority, that the officers of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -Bengal army had sent in a Memorial to Lord Minto, praying -the removal of Sir G. H. Barlow. I laughed at this -unfounded assertion, and assured the person who told me, -it was one of a thousand reports circulated to inflame their -feelings and mislead their judgment. They have received -great confidence from the address of the Bombay army<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a>, -which promises their warmest support in any measures -they may take in consequence of what they deem the -unjust and arbitrary order of the 1st of May.</p> - -<p>By a letter from the committee at Hyderabad received -to-day, this garrison are advised to defend Masulipatam if -they can. A junction is proposed at Ongole or Condapilly. -From the former station being mentioned, it would appear -as if a forward movement upon Madras had been contemplated -by some of the most violent.</p> - -<p><i>11th July.</i> I was with the officers of the regiment -almost all this day, and dined at the mess, of which I have -become a member. Our dinner was pleasant, and like -that of a private party of gentlemen. I have been particularly -pleased to observe, that although they communicate -to me in confidence when I require it, no officer of -the garrison ever begins, when I am present, any conversation -on the present situation of the army; and when I -speak to them upon it (as I frequently do), they are much -more moderate than they were. I have seen some of the -principal natives of this place, and find the events of the -25th ultimo caused a very serious alarm, which was not -dissipated before my arrival. The defenceless inhabitants -ascribe more influence to me than I possess, and think nothing -wrong can occur as long as I remain.</p> - -<p><i>12th July.</i> Very severe rains. I did not go into the -Fort, and heard nothing of consequence from any quarter.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> -<p><i>13th July.</i> Went into the Fort, inquired particularly -from the adjutant of the regiment, and found, from his -report, that the privates not only conceived they were to be -dispersed and disbanded when the order came for them to -go as marines, but a report was even current in the barracks, -that they were going to Botany Bay. They were, he -assured me, now fully satisfied of the misrepresentations that -had been made to them; and he believed no discontent -remained in the corps excepting that which had long -existed among the men enlisted for life; and which, they -had hopes, would have been altered before this, as Captain -Andrews had published an order, more than a twelvemonth -ago, with a view of quieting their minds; in which he -stated, that Government had referred the question to -England. I desired Mr. Nixon to tell the sergeants that -I should inquire into this point, and do any thing in my -power towards obtaining them information of what had -been done upon the subject.</p> - -<p><i>14th July.</i> I this morning inspected Captain Gibson's -company of artillery, and was highly pleased with their -appearance. I addressed them on parade, and told them -the gratification I had received from their steadiness under -arms, and correct movements; adding my conviction, that -they would maintain, under all circumstances, the high -reputation they had acquired during the late Mahratta -war. No tappal<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> for the last three days, owing to the -rain.</p> - -<p><i>15th July.</i> A regimental court martial sat yesterday -on four men, and the regiment was under arms at half past -six, to see the sentences carried into execution. I judged -this a favourable opportunity of addressing the corps; and, -after the crimes and sentences of the prisoners had been -read, I made the following short speech:</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> -<p>"Regiment! As this is the first time I have met you -upon such an occasion, I forgive these men: but I -desire you will not mistake the motives of this act of -lenity. It is my intention, as it is my duty, to enforce the -strictest discipline: and I must punish those that merit -it, not only to maintain the character of the corps, but -to enable me to grant indulgences to the good men of it, -which I never can do unless I punish the bad: but I -trust, from what I have seen of your conduct, I shall -have little occasion to exercise severity. It is, indeed, -you must all feel, most incumbent upon you to preserve -the utmost regularity and order at the present period. A -late occurrence in the regiment, which has, I am satisfied, -been solely produced by misapprehension and -misrepresentation, is on the point of becoming a subject -of investigation before a military court, who will -inquire into the causes by which it was produced. I -shall therefore say nothing on that subject: but I consider -it my duty to declare to you at this moment<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a>, -<i>that it never was in the contemplation of Government to -disband or disperse this corps, and that it never meant to -employ any officer or man of</i> the regiment in any -manner or upon any service but such as was suited to -the honour and character of British soldiers, and which -it, of course, conceived both officers and men would be -forward to proceed upon. It was, soldiers, from a full -conviction that a serious misunderstanding alone of the -intentions of Government could have caused what has -passed, that made me receive with pride and gratification -my nomination to the command of this regiment: -and I am convinced, from what I have already seen, -that I shall (whenever I quit that station) have to make -a report which will add, if possible, to the high reputation -which the corps already enjoys; and satisfy all, that -as it is the first in rank of the infantry of this establishment, -it is also first in fidelity, loyalty, and attachment -to the Government it serves, and to its King and Country."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> -<p>This address appeared to be received by both officers -and men of the corps with satisfaction; and I make no -doubt of its effect. I was withheld, by many and serious -considerations, from haranguing the men, or publishing -any explanatory order to them, on my first arrival. Such -would, in the agitated state of the whole garrison, have -been completely misconstrued, and would probably have -produced the very opposite effect from what was intended.</p> - -<p><i>16th July.</i> I dined yesterday with the mess of the -1st battalion 19th regiment N. I., and sat till a late hour. -No toasts were given; and not a word relating to the -present situation of affairs escaped the lips of any man present. -I could not but be pleased with such good feeling, -and felt gratified at this mark of personal respect. The -evening passed in the utmost hilarity and good humour.</p> - -<p><i>17th July.</i> Some of the officers of the garrison waited -upon me to-day with letters of a most violent tenor that -they had received from Hyderabad and other stations, in -which they were reproached with weakness for having admitted -me. I was described in some of these letters as a -consummate politician, and consequently as the most dangerous -man Government could have sent among them. The -garrison were told I would <i>tamper with their men, cajole -them</i>, and in the end ruin the general cause. I was happy -to find the sentiments of the gentlemen who waited upon -me were not in unison with those of their correspondents; -but they hinted their fears of the violence of the younger -officers of the garrison, who, they said, had been hurt at -the speech I made to the men on the 15th, which they -thought was calculated to excite the men against their -officers. I appealed to an old officer of the regiment, who -was present, Whether he thought the speech had any such -tendency? He said it certainly had not struck him as in -the least objectionable. I observed, that the testimony of -an officer like him should satisfy others; and if it did not,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -I could not help it; for in such times a man could not put -his foot over the threshhold without a misconstruction of -the manner in which it was done. The officers who waited -on me this day gave me a paper, the purport of which was -to learn what assurances I could give them of a disposition -of the Government of Madras to redress their grievances; -and, in the event of my declining, to inform them what I -thought the intentions of Government were. It was signified, -that if I did not, the confidence of the garrison would -be withdrawn from me, and they would consider themselves -released from all promises they made. I told them -I could make no communication of the nature they required, -and that they might act as they thought proper: I should, -under all circumstances, do my duty to the Government I -served.</p> - -<p><i>18th July.</i> This morning M. H. waited upon me, and -showed me a communication from the established committee -at Hyderabad to this garrison, which called upon them to -demand from me an assurance that the orders of the 1st of -May would be repealed; and, if that was refused, instructed -them to throw off the authority of Government, -and make me leave Masulipatam. I went over all the -grounds I had done before with this officer; and told him, that -if the garrison was so lost to all sense of duty and propriety -as to act upon this instruction, I must judge for myself, -and take those steps which the emergency demanded. He -said, the senior officers, who had sent him, were not disposed -to attend to the call made upon them by the Hyderabad -Committee; but they, he added, had now little or -no control over their juniors, who were decidedly for having -recourse to immediate violence. I asked him to what -lengths men (who had still some reflection) meant to allow -themselves to be borne away with the tide? The hour, I -added, was come, when they must decide. I then pointed -out the ground on which I thought they might, without -injury to their honour, make a stand, and rescue the deluded -young men of the army, as well as themselves, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -destruction. I expressed my conviction of the men remaining -with the senior officers, and that the young men must -be reclaimed to reason, or at least be prevented from becoming -rebels, if those who were their seniors acted with -a becoming spirit. This conference lasted two hours, and -M. H. went to communicate with the rest. There was, I -understood, a warm discussion for several hours; after -which, two of the senior officers waited upon me, and said -they had with difficulty prevented the rest from coming to -extremes that day; but they had at last agreed to wait six -days (till the 24th), when, if they heard nothing favourable -to their hopes, they meant to take such steps as they -thought calculated to forward the objects they had in view. -They at the same time said they had, in consequence of -the opinion of their brother officers at other stations, determined -to admit no investigation into their past conduct. I -observed, that if these were their resolutions we must come -to issue at once, and I must take those steps I judged best -to counteract their measures, as I considered their proposition -of adhering to their duty for a limited period of six -days, was nothing less than an open defiance; and their -refusal to admit investigation was a measure of the same -stamp. I had meant, I said, in conformity with authority -I had received from Government, to have entered into the -investigation immediately (before the arrival of my colleagues); -and I had entertained an intention of proceeding -to Madras with the report, in the conviction that this -garrison would have remained steady in its duty: but I -must now, I added, abandon all such plans, and meet with -that firmness which it was my duty to meet it, that dreadful -emergency which this garrison had so rashly precipitated. -I then read them a letter to Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Leod<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a>, -pointing out all the horrors of the crisis to which they were -rushing. They appeared forcibly struck with what I said -and read, and expressed their hope that their brother -officers would alter their resolution, and not impede the -course of proceeding which I intended to pursue. It -might, they said, afford some ray of hope of the present -distractions being ended; for though they knew my sentiments -differed widely from theirs, and that I was devoted -to my duty to Government, they were also sensible that I -had warm feeling for the situation of my brother officers. -I went, immediately after this interview, to dine at the mess -of the regiment, and (strange inconsistency!) received every -mark of respect and kindness from men who had been debating -all the morning whether they should enter into a -contest with me for the authority of the garrison!</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> -<p><i>19th July.</i> I went into the Fort early this morning, and -called upon Colonel Innes to give me a full statement of -all that had passed relative to the origin of those discontents -that terminated in the mutiny of the 25th ultimo<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a>. -I also called upon Major Storey, Captain Andrews, and -Mr. Nixon, the adjutant of the regiment, to give me every -information they had relative to these transactions. I was -waited upon, soon after I went to the Fort, by two of the -senior officers, who were, they said, desired by all to state -that a general confidence and respect for my character had -induced the garrison to change their resolutions, and that -they hoped I would follow the course of inquiry I intended; -and, after making the investigation, proceed, if I thought -it advisable, to Madras. They would, they said, during -my absence be as jealous of my honour as of their own, and -promise not to depart in the slightest degree from the path -of duty and order, unless a rise in other stations was to take -place; of which, they said, they thought there was no probability, -particularly as they would write to inform them -of the pledge they had made, and entreat them not to -make any call upon them before my return to my command. -I told them I felt obliged by this mark of their -regard and confidence; but I would not receive it, if I -thought it was made under any idea or expectation that I -would be the advocate of their cause, or that of the army. -They disclaimed any such idea. I would, they knew, from -what they had seen, do my duty in the manner I thought -best. I was gratified with the pledge I received; which, -as M. H. afterwards privately observed, gave me a stronger -tie on the officers while I was absent than I could have had -during the same period, if present. The reasons which led -me to resolve on going to Madras were fully stated to Sir -George Barlow in a letter under this date.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> -<p>Accounts were received this evening of the assembly of -a force at Madras. I anticipated the feeling this would -make, and stated to an officer present, when I received the -letter, my conviction, that it was in consequence of the -many, and perhaps exaggerated, reports of intended -mutinies that had been consequent to that of Masulipatam.</p> - -<p><i>20th July.</i> General Pater arrived. I went to meet -him, gave him a return of the garrison, and made a full and -confidential report of all past proceedings. I found that -the officers of standing, to whom I had spoken so much on -the danger of allowing young men to take such a lead in -the present discussions, had taken advantage of the good -disposition of the moment, as to carry a resolution, that the -garrison committee, which were mobbish meetings of the -whole of the officers, should be abolished, and the proceedings -to be entirely carried on by the eleven senior -officers, by whose judgment all questions were in future to -be decided, and who were entirely to act for themselves, -and not to follow the instructions of other committees, or -be influenced by the voice of any person not a member of -the committee. This measure I considered as the first -great step towards a return to reason and temper. I -received an invitation from the garrison to dine with them -on the 22d. All the gentlemen, civil and military, were -invited to meet.</p> - -<p><i>21st July.</i> All was quiet. I received this day the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -most unequivocal proofs of the desire of some of the senior -officers to return to the right path, if furnished with any -ground on which they could absolve themselves from the -deep pledges they had made, and assert their right to -control their juniors.</p> - -<p><i>22d July.</i> General Pater looked at the regiment on -parade, and afterwards went, accompanied by his staff, to -breakfast with Lieutenant-Colonel Innes.</p> - -<p>Captain Gibson of the artillery informed me, that though -he had received his leave to go to Madras, he would remain, -if I advised him, at Masulipatam. I spoke with General -Pater; and it was his opinion, as it was mine, that Captain -Gibson should proceed. If he had been ordered to stay -after his leave was made public, it would have excited -suspicion, without any adequate benefit. Whether conciliatory -or coercive measures were adopted, Captain Moorhouse, -who succeeded to the command of the company of -artillery, appeared equally, if not better, suited to the -charge at that crisis. He was a brave, excellent officer, -and had never for a moment even swerved from his duty; -and his character was respected even by the most violent -of the disaffected. Captain Gibson, on the contrary, -having for a short time joined in their schemes, had, when -he (very meritoriously) checked himself in his career of -guilt, been considered a deserter from their cause, and had -become an object of their marked hatred and resentment. -General Pater dined with the officers of the garrison; and -the best feeling possible was shown at this entertainment. -After dinner I proceeded by post to Madras.</p> - -<div class="right"> -JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> This was in accordance with the instructions I had received, and -most assuredly marks the character of the proceeding. Yet it has been -stated, I was immediately, <i>before investigation</i>, to seize the persons of the -principal offenders.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> This was afterwards discovered to be a fabrication.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> Post.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> I had watched an opportunity of making this communication in the -manner I thought would have most effect. I am accused by the Government -of Fort St. George of never having made it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Vide page 149.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> I had received authority to proceed (without waiting for my colleagues) -in this inquiry. Lieutenant-Colonel Berkeley had, indeed, been -prevented from attending by a severe illness.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> - -<h3>No. III.</h3> - -<p class="center">TO<br /> -THE HON. SIR G. H. BARLOW, BART. & K.B.<br /> -GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.</p> - - -<div class="right"> -Fort St. George.<br /> -</div> -<p> -<span class="smcap">Honourable Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have this day transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief -of the forces an account of the inquiry -into the proceedings of the officers at Masulipatam, previous -to my assuming the command at that station. I now -consider it my duty to report every event that occurred -during my command of that garrison. It is, however, -essential to my own character and to the information of -Government, that I should state the peculiar circumstances -under which I proceeded on this duty, as well as the impressions -which existed at that moment on my mind, -respecting your intentions not only regarding the garrison -of Masulipatam, but the whole army; as it is with reference -to those impressions alone that my conduct in the discharge -of this delicate and important duty can be judged.</p> - -<p>I received a message to attend at your Gardens on the 1st -July; and was informed, when I arrived there, of the mutiny -which had occurred at Masulipatam, and of an improper -and disrespectful remonstrance which you had that day -received from the Company's officers of the subsidiary force -in the Deckan. You did me the honour to ask my opinion -on both subjects; and I suggested, that an officer of rank -should be immediately ordered to Masulipatam, to inquire -into, and report upon, the proceedings of the officers of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -that garrison; and that a letter should be written to the -commanding officers of the subsidiary forces at Hyderabad -and Jaulnah, informing them of your having received, -with regret and disapprobation, a Memorial from the officers -under their command, soliciting that you should -rescind the orders of the 1st of May; and pointing out, in -the most forcible manner, the dangerous tendency of such -addresses, and the total impossibility of complying with -their request; and directing the commanding officers to -call upon the officers under their command to reflect upon -the serious consequences which a perseverance in such -measures must produce.</p> - -<p>After some discussion regarding the officer it would be -proper to nominate to the command of the European regiment -and the garrison of Masulipatam, I offered to proceed -myself upon that service; and you accepted my offer -with an apparent confidence in my success, of which I -could not but be proud. The emergency gave no time -for the preparation of instructions, and I was immediately -appointed to command the garrison of Masulipatam and -the Madras European regiment; while two respectable -officers, Lieutenant-Colonel W. Berkeley and Major -Evans, were nominated to act with me, as members of a -military committee that was directed to investigate the -conduct of the garrison.</p> - -<p>I was repeatedly assured by you, at the last interview -with which I was honoured, that you committed the -dignity and interests of Government (as far as those were -implicated on this occasion) into my hands with perfect -confidence, and that you gave me the fullest latitude of -action: adding, that I was fully acquainted with your sentiments -upon the whole subject of the existing discontents -among the officers of the Company's army. I certainly -was, from the confidence with which you had honoured -me, fully aware of your sentiments. I knew that you -were most solicitous to allay the ferment that had arisen in -the army, and that you were at that moment resolved to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -use every means in your power to effect that object, but -such as you deemed derogatory to the honour and dignity -of the Government with which you were charged. You -regarded, I knew, the occurrence of a rupture between the -state and any part of its army, one of the most desperate -evils that could arise, and thought every moment that -such an event was delayed was of ultimate importance, as -it gave time for reflection and the action of better feeling, -and strengthened the hope that deluded men might yet -return to that path of duty and good order from which -they had so widely departed.</p> - -<p>The act of my appointment to Masulipatam of itself -proclaimed these sentiments; and I was confirmed in them -from the approbation you gave to my suggestion regarding -the mode of treating the Memorial you had received from -the officers of the subsidiary force, which you desired I -would put into the form of a letter, and send to you; -which I did, through the medium of your military secretary, -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay. Impressed with these -sentiments, I sailed for Masulipatam early on the morning -of the 2d of July, and arrived there on the 4th. I found -the officers of that garrison in a state of open and bold -mutiny against Government, with every thing prepared to -march towards Hyderabad, to effect a junction with the -subsidiary force at that place, by whom they had been -promised complete support in the opposition they had -commenced to the authority of Government. The most -violent among the officers of the garrison saw, in recognising -my authority, a complete suspension, if not a total discomfiture, -of their plans, and argued loudly against my -being acknowledged: and it was not till after a discussion -of near five hours that I was enabled to bring these deluded -men to a sense of all the perils of their situation, and of the -consequences that must ensue from their throwing off their -allegiance to the state. They at last were subdued by the -force of reason; for no other means were used, as I thought -it equally my duty to avoid any promise of amnesty for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -the past, or of consideration for the future: and they, after -repeated and fruitless trials, desisted from all applications -upon these points. A repetition of the discussions which -occurred at this scene (accompanied, however, with less -violence) took place next day: after which, the question -of disputing my authority was abandoned.</p> - -<p>I was happy to find, by a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay, under date 12th July, that the mode as well -as substance of the proceedings that I adopted on my -arrival at Masulipatam was honoured with your entire -approbation.</p> - -<p>I took every opportunity of mixing with the officers of -the garrison, and circulated among them a variety of letters, -which I had written with a view of reclaiming the -more violent of my brother officers to better feelings and -better sentiments; and I found that my conversation, and -the perusal of these papers, had soon a very visible effect; -and that though they continued to share the general proceedings -of the army, they no longer (as they had done -before my arrival) thought it incumbent upon them to -take the lead in an insurrection against Government, -though they were excited to that measure by the most -violent letters from almost every station in the army, and -were also impelled to it by their own sense of danger from -what had passed, which they thought would be greatly -diminished when the majority of the officers of the army -were sharers in the general guilt. I considered, that by -effecting this change in the temper of the garrison of Masulipatam, -one of the chief objects which you had in contemplation -when you sent me to that garrison, was accomplished. -The rupture which had recurred, and which -was likely to be followed by an insurrection of a great part -of the officers of the army, had been arrested in its progress, -without the slightest sacrifice of the authority, or -compromise of the dignity, of the state; and time was -gained, which, under every view that could be taken of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> -the subject, appeared of the greatest advantage to Government.</p> - -<p>The first serious interruption to this progressive improvement -of good feeling among the officers of the garrison -of Masulipatam, was caused by a letter from an established -committee at Hyderabad, which reached that garrison -on the 18th July. This letter, which, like all other -papers of a similar tendency, was shown to me, reproached -the officers at Masulipatam with want of wisdom in having -admitted me to assume the command of the garrison. -The committee desired they would instantly demand from -me an assurance that the order of the 1st of May would be -rescinded; and, if I refused it, recommended that measures -should be immediately taken to oblige me to quit -Masulipatam. A paper of demands, which the Hyderabad -committee termed their <i>Ultimatum</i>, and which they -said they intended to forward to Government, accompanied -this letter. These papers were shown to me by an -officer of some rank and influence, with whom I was in the -habit of confidential intercourse. He told me the senior -officers of the garrison were far from approving of the sentiments -of the Hyderabad committee, but much was to be -feared from the violence of the juniors. I took this occasion -of exposing all the fallacy of the grounds on which -they were proceeding, and of impressing, in the most -forcible language I could, the dangers into which many of -the officers of the Company's army were precipitately -rushing. As the substance of the communication I made -to this officer was afterwards circulated in the form of a -letter, I enclose an extract from my journal, in which it -was immediately entered: and this extract will show you -the nature of those arguments I used to reclaim men from -their deep delusion. This communication had evidently -a great effect upon the person to whom it was addressed; -and he promised me he would not only communicate my -sentiments to some of the most reflecting among the officers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -of the garrison, and obtain, through their means, the -rejection of the proposals from Hyderabad, but would endeavour, -in concert with them, to effect an arrangement -that would exclude the younger part of the officers from -any right of deliberation on the questions with which the -army was now agitated; which I agreed with him would -be a point of the greatest importance, and the first step towards -a final settlement of existing evils.</p> - -<p>All these measures were happily effected. An answer -was sent to Hyderabad, that the officers of Masulipatam -must assert their right of judging for themselves, and that -they could not comply with their demand regarding me; -and the garrison committees, which were mobbish meetings -of the whole of the officers, were dissolved, and all future -proceedings entrusted to a few of the senior officers, who -were (it was agreed) not to be influenced either by the -opinions of other committees, or by the opinion of any -officer in the garrison not included in their number, which -was limited to eleven.</p> - -<p>I had at this period received a report that Lieutenant-Colonel -Berkeley was too unwell to come to Masulipatam, -and there was likely to be some delay in the arrival of -Major Evans. I also found that formal examinations -before a regular committee would be likely to excite an -irritation, which it had been, throughout, my study to -avoid. I therefore took advantage of the authority conveyed -to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay's letter of the -12th of July, to commence myself the investigation of the -conduct of the garrison previous to my arrival.</p> - -<p>I had always intended (provided I had obtained your -permission) to have proceeded with the report of the committee -to Madras, as I was sensible I should never be able -to convey to you by letters the whole of that important information -I had obtained of the real state and temper of -the majority of the officers of the Company's army on the -coast, who, though apparently united in one confederacy, -were actuated by widely different motives, and took very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -different views of the nature of the scene in which they -were engaged: and of these different shades in their -situation and intentions it appeared to me most essential -you should have the fullest information, as this knowledge -was evidently the only basis upon which any arrangement -could be made for the settlement of the whole question, -without having recourse to an open and declared rupture, -which I ever understood it was your earnest desire to -avoid till the last extremity. As I found the changes -which had been effected left me without any fear of the -garrison of Masulipatam departing from their duty during -my absence, I thought it my duty, after I had completed -the investigation with which I was charged, to exercise -that discretion which you had given me before my -departure from Madras, and proceed in person to report -the result of my investigation. I communicated -this intention to Major-General Pater, the commander -of the division, who arrived at Masulipatam on the 20th -July, and it met with his fullest concurrence and approbation.</p> - -<p>I heard, before my departure, of the 2d battalion of the -10th regiment of native infantry having refused to march; -but as that event did not appear likely to be immediately -followed by any open act of contumely or disobedience -in the Hyderabad force, and as it produced no commotion -whatever in the garrison of Masulipatam, it was -an additional excitement to the resolution I had adopted, -as I expected to have arrived at Madras (by travelling -in the rapid manner I did) before any determination -had been taken upon this act of mutiny and disobedience, -and to have furnished information that might have -aided your judgment in deciding upon that important -question.</p> - -<p>As I always conceived that it was the object of Government -to reclaim, if possible, the minds of the officers, -I directed my whole attention, during the period -I was at Masulipatam, to this great object. I therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -cautiously abstained from any attempt to discover the -sentiments of either the European or native soldiery. -Such an attempt must have been instantly known, and -would have inflicted an irremediable wound on the -minds of the officers, and have been certain to precipitate -that crisis which it was my labour to avoid.</p> - -<p>To evince that I have not been deceived in the expectations -I formed of the change of feeling in the affairs -of the garrison of Masulipatam, I enclose an extract of a -letter from an officer, in whose correctness I place entire -confidence. The resolutions which the committee of -Masulipatam have agreed to consider, are such, no doubt, -as it would be impossible for Government to have acceded -to; but they exhibit a most important change -from former violence to comparative temper and moderation; -and their agitation shows that these officers reject all -share in the demands made in that paper which is termed -their <i>Ultimatum</i> by the Hyderabad committee. It must -be recollected, that in cases like the present, where the -minds of a large body of men have been greatly disturbed, -that their return to reason is likely to be as gradual as -their departure from it: and I can have no doubt, from -what I know of the present temper and inclination of some -of the senior officers in the northern division, as well as in -other quarters of this army, that had not the recent acts -of the force at Hyderabad led to those measures which -Government has thought it its duty to adopt, they would -have seized with avidity any opportunity that the indulgent -considerations of Government for their past errors had -afforded them, of reclaiming themselves and others from -the deep crimes into which they had plunged, and of -restoring to its former name and glory a service which the -rash madness of some of its members threaten with ruin -and destruction.</p> - -<p>It remains for me only to state, and I do it with deep -regret, that, as far as I can judge, late occurrences have -annihilated every hope of the garrison of Masulipatam (I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -speak with the exception of the artillery company) remaining -faithful to its duty; and I fear there are several corps -in the division, the officers of which will be disposed to -follow their example.</p> - -<p>I entreat you to pardon the length of this letter, as well -as the freedom with which I have stated my sentiments. -I can have no desire but to show that I have not been false -to that confidence by which I was honoured; and that I -have laboured with zeal, and not without success, (at least -as far as the scene in which I was employed was concerned,) -to promote the public interests.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I have the honour to be,<br /> -Honourable sir,<br /> -Your most obedient servant,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Madras,<br /> -1st August, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. IV.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Address of the Inhabitants of Madras to</i><br /> -Sir <span class="smcap">George Barlow</span>.<br /><br /> -TO<br /> -THE HON. SIR G. BARLOW, BART. & K.B.<br /> -<span class="smcap">GOVERNOR, AND PRESIDENT IN COUNCIL, OF<br /> -FORT ST. GEORGE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.</span></p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Honourable Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, -impressed with a deep sense of our duty to our Country, -and of the necessity of good order and obedience to the -constituted authorities, beg leave to render you, at this -moment of difficulty and danger, our assurances of support -to the interests of Government, and of our readiness -to devote our lives and fortunes to the maintenance of the -public tranquillity in any way in which to you, in your -wisdom, it may seem meet to command them.</p> - -<p>We desire to take this opportunity of publicly expressing -our fullest disapprobation of that spirit of insubordination -which has recently shown itself amongst the officers -of the Honourable Company's army serving under the -Presidency of Fort St. George: fully convinced, that it is -the duty of every good subject to yield obedience to the -commands of those whom the will of his Sovereign and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -laws of his country have placed in authority over him, -and patiently to await the result of a reference to Europe -for the redress of real or supposed grievances. Any conduct, -impatient of the period of such appeal, and backward -to the calls of professional obedience, we regard as -subversive of all good order and discipline, hostile to the -constitution of our native country, and big with danger to -the existence of the British empire in India.</p> - -<p>And we therefore, honourable sir, beg to repeat the assurances -of our firm determination to resist the operation -of such principles, which we are convinced must be -equally reprobated and condemned by all good and loyal -subjects.</p> - -<p> -Fort St. George,<br /> -9th August, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> - -<h3>No. V.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Malcolm</span> <i>to Major-General</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Gowdie</span>, <i>Commander of the Forces in<br /> -Chief, Madras</i>.</p> - - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have before informed you, that in consequence -of instructions I received from the honourable the -Governor, through the medium of Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay, military secretary, I proceeded (without waiting -the assembly of the committee that was ordered) to make -an inquiry into the conduct of the garrison of Masulipatam. -I considered that the best form in which I could -make this inquiry, was to collect from Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes every information he could give, and to obtain -such evidence from the officers of the garrison as appeared -necessary to establish the leading facts of the transactions -it was my object to investigate. I judged that a minute -and formal personal examination of the parties was equally -unnecessary to the object of the preliminary inquiry with -which I was charged, and unsuited to the temper of the -times, or to the fulfilment of those objects which I conceived -the honourable the Governor to have had in view -at the time I was appointed to the command of the garrison -of Masulipatam.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> - -<p>The officers of the garrison whom I called upon for -information, were of course cautious in committing to -writing, or indeed in verbally stating, any thing that -might criminate themselves: and I was induced, by many -reasons, to avoid any examination of the men of the European -regiment, or native battalion. Such evidence was -not necessary to the establishment of the principal facts; -and it could not have been obtained without a complete -sacrifice of that temper which it was my object to maintain -until the Government was in possession of the general -result of my inquiry, and of that important information -regarding the state of not only the garrison of Masulipatam, -but of other stations in the army, which my employment -upon this duty had enabled me to collect.</p> - -<p>I enclose a statement given in by Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes, with an Appendix, and two private notes in reply -to queries I put to him, subsequent to his delivering me -his first statement.</p> - -<p>I also enclose a paper, which contains the substance of -the information given me by Captain Andrews of the -European regiment, and Captain Kelly of the 1st battalion -19th regiment of native infantry, and which was corroborated -by several of the officers of the garrison. I transmit -a paper from Lieutenant Nixon, the Adjutant, whom I -examined relating to the different causes which had led to -agitate the minds of the men of the European regiment, -and to make them, as well as their officers, forget their -duty.</p> - -<p>You are in possession of Major Storey's public letter, -stating the nature of the situation in which he was placed, -and the steps which he adopted. In addition to that document -I enclose the substance of a verbal declaration -which Major Storey made to me upon this subject, and -which shows the leading consideration which he states to -have governed his conduct upon this occasion.</p> - -<p>These enclosures will throw complete light upon the -conduct of both Lieutenant-Colonel Innes and the officers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -of the garrison of Masulipatam: and I shall, in the course -of the few observations which I feel it my duty to offer -upon their contents, state such additional facts as came to -my knowledge from verbal communications upon this subject.</p> - -<p>It is not possible to contemplate the conduct of the officers -of Masulipatam throughout the different stages of this -transaction, without constant reference to the general discontent -and disaffection to Government which, at the moment -of their proceedings, prevailed in the minds of a large -proportion of the officers of the Company's army on this -establishment, and which must be considered as one of the -chief, if not the sole cause of their excesses.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant-Colonel Innes appears, from his statement, -to have joined the corps he was appointed to command -with an impression that the officers of it were disaffected -to Government, and with a resolution to oppose and correct -such improper principles in whatever place or shape -he met them.</p> - -<p>He landed at Masulipatam on the 7th May, and was -invited on the same day to dine at the mess of the regiment; -and it was after dinner, on this first day of their -intercourse, that the ground-work was laid of all their -future disputes. The only substantial fact adduced by -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes on this occasion, and admitted -by the other parties, was, that "the friends of the army" -was given as a toast, at this meeting, by Lieutenant D. -Forbes, and seconded by Lieutenant Maitland, quarter-master -of the corps. This toast Lieutenant-Colonel Innes -requested might be changed for "the Madras army;" but -his proposition was not acceded to, and he, in consequence, -left the table. This appears to be the only proved fact. -Several observations are stated by Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes to have been made by officers at the table, that were -disrespectful to Government, and contrary to the principles -of subordination and good order: but the only one of these -observations that he specifies, is ascribed to Lieutenant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -Maitland in a letter to that gentleman, which forms a number -of the Appendix. In that letter, Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes, after regretting that Lieutenants Maitland and Forbes -had not made the apology he required of them for their conduct -on the evening of the 7th May, adds, "I will still -forward any explanations you may state to me with respect -to the <i>observations you made</i> at the <i>mess</i> on the -7th instant so <i>publicly</i>, with respect to the <i>Nizam's</i> detachment, -and officers who are not friends of the army." -Lieutenant Maitland, in his reply to this letter, states his -hope that Government will not decide upon Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes's report until he has an opportunity of defending -himself: and further observes, "Until I received -your letter this day, I never knew for what words or -actions of mine an apology was required; for <i>I most -solemnly deny</i> ever having given any opinion, in any -manner, regarding the Nizam's detachment and its officers, -that night, or at any other time, in your presence."</p> - -<p>When Lieutenant-Colonel Innes left the mess-room, -which he did, as has been before stated, in consequence of -their refusing to change the toast to "the Madras army," -as he had proposed, it appears the officers proceeded to -drink their original toast in the manner they were accustomed -to drink it, with three cheers: and these, it is not -unlikely, may have been mistaken by Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes for further marks of disrespect to him, and consequently -to the authority by which he was appointed: but -the officers of the regiment, who were present at table, deny -the existence or expressions of any such sentiment.</p> - -<p>These different statements cannot be deemed surprising, -when the nature of this meeting is considered. The parties -could, indeed, hardly have been personally known to each -other: and although no doubt can be entertained of the -goodness of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's motives, and the -laudable character of his zeal for the Government he -served, it is perhaps to be regretted that his first effort to -correct the principles of the officers of his corps should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -have been made at a convivial scene, where it was to be -supposed men would be less under restraint than in any -other situation, and therefore less disposed to attend to -either the voice of counsel or authority.</p> - -<p>But Colonel Innes, from his statement, appears sensible -of this fact. He observes, after recapitulating the motives -that led him to report <i>privately</i> the conduct of the officers -of the regiment at the dinner on the 7th of May, to a confidential -staff officer, from whom he received what he terms -'his original instructions,' "I at the same time particularly -requested, that no <i>public notice</i> might be taken of -what I found it expedient to state, unless I should be -compelled subsequently to bring the business reluctantly -forward officially; having intimated that I expected an -apology to be tendered to me by Lieutenants D. Forbes -and Maitland for their improper conduct on that evening, -when the general orders of the 1st of May last were -commented upon at the mess-room of the Madras European -regiment."</p> - -<p>That such was the impression upon Colonel Innes's -mind, is confirmed by a note from him to Mr. Nixon, the -adjutant of the regiment, in which he asserts, that he made -no official report of the occurrence. It appears, however, -that, contrary to Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's expressed expectation, -you considered it your duty to notice the private -communication he had made of the occurrences of the -evening of the 7th May; and the letter which the Adjutant-General -wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel Innes upon that -subject, under date the 17th May, was immediately put -into the regimental orderly book of the corps. It would -be superfluous for me to dwell upon the irritation which -the measures that were adopted upon this occasion, and -the mode of carrying them into execution, excited in the -minds of the officers of the regiment. The nature and extent -of that irritation are sufficiently explained in the accompanying -documents. Its grounds were the supposed -incorrectness of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's private communications<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -to head-quarters; the neglect with which the -representations of the officers of the regiment upon this -subject were treated; the hardship of a respectable staff -officer being disgraced by a removal from his station, without -knowing of what he was accused, or being permitted to -say one word in his defence; and the unusual and extraordinary -measure of detaching (as a punishment) an officer -of the regiment to the command of a post where there was -not one man of his corps, and the refusal of a court martial -to the officer on whom this unprecedented mark of disgrace -had been inflicted.</p> - -<p>In addition to these subjects of complaint, the officers -seem to have considered the publication of the letter from -Lieutenant-Colonel Conway in the orderly book, as an unnecessary -promulgation of the displeasure and censure they -had incurred among the men of the regiment: and Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes would appear to have been sensible, -sometime afterwards, that this was the fact, as he desired -the letter to be expunged from the orderly book.</p> - -<p>You will observe, from the documents I enclose, all that -took place connected with the appointment of Lieutenant -Spankie, regarding which an impression was received by -the officers of the regiment, from a communication made -by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, on the ground of a private -letter, which he stated to them he had received from you, -that it was in contemplation to disband the regiment, and -place the officers on half-pay, if they did not alter their -conduct; but that the fate of the corps would in a great -degree be determined by the step which Lieutenant -Spankie might take; that is, by his refusal or acceptance -of the station of quarter-master. This idea (which I cannot -think it was ever the intention of your letter to convey) -was directly intimated by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes in the -following private note to Lieutenant Spankie.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">My dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>"I believe I forgot to remark, that your -situation and Lieutenant Fenwick's are very different -now. Under existing circumstances it was equally -proper for him to decline accepting of the quarter-mastership, -as it is absolutely proper and necessary -that you should accede to the General's wishes, to save -a whole regiment. Think of this.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"Yours truly,<br /> -(Signed) "J. INNES."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p>This proceeding could not but greatly increase the irritation -that before existed: it gave too much ground for the -propagation of a belief, that the general punishment of the -whole corps might depend upon the conduct of an individual -(a young officer in the corps), on a question of a -particular and personal nature; and it was not possible -for an impression to have been made more calculated to -increase the irritation and spirit of discontent which before -prevailed in the regiment.</p> - -<p>I shall now proceed to a concise view of the circumstances -which relate to the order for the embarkation of a -detachment of the Madras European regiment for marines, -and of the occurrences which took place on the 25th June: -regarding which, however, the documents already in your -possession are so ample, as to require little further information -upon the subject.</p> - -<p>When Lieutenant Forbes was directed to proceed to -Penang, and a party of marines, under Lieutenant Maitland, -to be in readiness to embark on board the Fox frigate, -no idea appears to have been entertained of opposition to -these orders. Though the officers of the corps felt, that -Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland being particularly ordered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -on these duties could only be as a punishment, and -to avoid the stigma which they conceived this proceeding -would bring upon the corps, they solicited Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes to allow other officers to exchange with -Lieutenant Maitland and Lieutenant Forbes, and at the -same time assured him there was not an officer in the regiment -that was not ready to take the tour of duty. This -application (which proves the officers had no intention at -that period of resisting the orders of Government,) was refused -by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, for reasons stated in -his note to me of the 22d July, which forms a number of -the Appendix.</p> - -<p>Before the orders were received at Masulipatam for an -increased number of marines embarking on board his Majesty's -ships Piedmontese and Samarang, the minds of the -officers of that garrison had been much inflamed by communications -they had received from the different stations -of the army. These expressed (agreeable to the statement -of Captain Andrews and Captain Kelly) a general opinion -of the illegality of the orders regarding Lieutenant Forbes -and Lieutenant Maitland, and of the unjust manner in -which the Madras European regiment had been treated. -It was also reported from a variety of quarters, that the regiment -was to be dispersed and disbanded: and these reports -obtained, from the nature of preceding occurrences, -a very ready belief both among the officers and men of the -corps.</p> - -<p>There can, however, be no doubt that the garrison at -Masulipatam, as well as other stations with which they -communicated, contemplated the detachment of so large a -party as that ordered from the European regiment, as a -serious diminution of their strength, and consequently injurious -to the interests of the confederacy against Government, -in which they were so deeply engaged; and that -this consideration in some degree influenced them to that -criminal course which they pursued: but I do not believe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -that this motive, unaided by others, would have led them -at that moment to so bold and daring an opposition to -orders.</p> - -<p>The account given by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes of the -proceedings of the 25th June, is, I am satisfied, perfectly -correct. It is impossible for me to afford any further information -than what you will derive from that document. -To Major Storey's official letter, and the substance of that -officer's verbal declaration to me, (which forms a number -of the Appendix,) I can only add my conviction of two -facts; 1st, That Lieutenant-Colonel Innes had it not in his -power to coerce the obedience of the garrison in the state -it was in; and, 2dly, That had bloodshed taken place, it -would (as Major Storey states in his verbal declaration) -have been the signal for the Company's officers at many -other stations throwing off their allegiance to Government.</p> - -<p>The accompanying deposition of Lieutenant and Adjutant -Nixon is entitled to some attention. There is no -doubt of the general facts which that officer has stated; -they are indeed proved by the conduct of the men of the -European regiment, who gave a ready support to their -officers in an act which they must have known was mutinous, -which it is not likely they would have done if they -had not received unfavourable impressions of the intentions -of Government. These impressions, however, were only -the predisposing causes: the immediate impulse under -which the deluded men of the regiment acted, was a wish -to support officers who had been long with them, and a -feeling of resentment at threatened coercion; and, under -the action of this impulse, they would, no doubt, have -opposed any troops that had been brought against them.</p> - -<p>Though nothing can justify mutiny, it is impossible, -when we consider that the non-commissioned officers and -men of the Madras European regiment acted on this occasion -at the call of almost all their regimental officers, not -to acquit them in a very great degree of that share of -criminality which must attach to all the individuals implicated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -in such proceedings. I am satisfied of the truth -of what Lieutenant Nixon states regarding the discontent -that exists among the men of this corps who have enlisted -for an unlimited period of service. These men gave me a -petition upon this subject, and prayed I would bring it to -your notice. I communicated this petition to Major-General -Pater, as I thought it implied, from the terms in -which it was expressed, that they were aware of their -situation, and were disposed to maintain their obedience -to Government. It was at all events clearly to be inferred -from the mode and substance of this representation, that -those by whom it was made were sensible of the nature of -the times, and thought them favourable for the accomplishment -of their object.</p> - -<p>It is impossible for me to state what officers have been -most culpable in those irregular and unmilitary proceedings -into which I have been directed to inquire; but, with -the exception of those stated in Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's -letter, (who had, in fact, no means of being useful,) I believe -that all the officers present with the Madras European -regiment, and the 1st battalion of the 19th regiment, were -implicated in the general guilt. Those who took the -most forward part, are stated in Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's -letters.</p> - -<p>The company of artillery stationed out of the Fort had -no concern whatever in these transactions, and has remained -throughout perfectly faithful to its duty and to Government.</p> - -<p>I need hardly state that the native officers and men of the -garrison of Masulipatam had no concern in this mutiny. -They fell in on their parade, on the day of the 25th June, -because a number of the officers of the corps called upon -them to do so.</p> - -<p>It is a justice I owe to Major Storey and to Captain -Andrews, senior officer of the European regiment, to state, -that from the 25th June until the 4th of July, the day on -which I took the command, the utmost subordination and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> -good order had been observed by the troops, and the duty -of the garrison had been carried on with as great regularity -and order as if nothing had occurred to disturb the usual -routine of military discipline.</p> - -<p>I feel it would be presumption in me to offer any opinion -upon the subject of my inquiry, and I have therefore confined -myself to the object of bringing before you, in as -clear and concise a manner as I could, the leading and -principal facts of those proceedings which I was directed -to investigate.</p> - -<div class="right"> -I have the honour to be,<br /> -Sir,<br /> -Your most obedient servant,<br /> -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM,<br /> -Lieut.-Col. Com.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Madras,<br /> -1st August, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="Statement_of_Lieutenant-Colonel_Innes" id="Statement_of_Lieutenant-Colonel_Innes"><span class="smcap">Statement</span> <i>of Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span>.</a></h2> - -<h3>No. I.</h3> - -<p class="center">"TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MALCOLM.</p> - -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>Paragraph 1. "Previous to my being -appointed to command the Madras European regiment, I -was informed that the officers of that corps had given some -very improper toasts on the day that Captain J. Marshall -had dined at their mess here, which fully expressed their -political principles, and how highly they disapproved of -the previous measures of Government, adopted after Lieutenant-General -M<sup>c</sup>Dowall's leaving Madras for Europe, -whose cause and party they support.</p> - -<p>Par. 2. "Impressed with the recollection of this circumstance, -when I went to dine at the mess of the Madras -European regiment, the day I landed here to assume the -command, I determined neither to permit, or to pass over -unnoticed, any such scene as was reported to have occurred -on the day above alluded to, so extremely improper, -and subversive of that high respect which is due to Government -from every officer of the army of Fort St. George.</p> - -<p>Par. 3. "What actually did take place on the evening -of the 7th May last, and which rendered it not only -proper, but absolutely requisite for me to quit the mess-room -at an early hour, I deemed it my indispensable duty -next day to communicate, in a private manner, to a confidential -staff officer 'from whom I received my original -instructions,' in order to show the officer commanding the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -army in chief, and the Honourable the Governor of Fort -St. George, the violent spirit of discontent, undisguised -disapprobation, and determined opposition to the measures -of Government, which even then existed amongst the -officers of that corps, and which was previously well -known at head-quarters.</p> - -<p>Par. 4. "I at the same time particularly requested -that no <i>public notice</i> might be taken of what I found it -expedient to state, unless I should be compelled subsequently -to bring the business reluctantly forward officially; -having intimated, that I expected an apology to be tendered -to me by Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland for -their improper conduct on that evening, when the general -orders of the 1st May were commented upon at the mess-room -of the Madras European regiment.</p> - -<p>Par. 5. "The next morning I went to breakfast with -Captain Andrews (who had dined at the mess the previous -evening), and requested of him to acquaint the officers -composing the mess, that I was under the necessity of declining -to become a member of their society, 'as I had -proposed,' owing to existing circumstances that did not -accord with my ideas or sentiments of subordination, which -was my imperious duty to restrain.</p> - -<p>Par. 6. "Contrary, however, to my expectation, the -information I had originally given was acted upon, being -considered of such a tendency that it could not be passed -over, as I had requested, and which ultimately led to the -publication of the orders by the officer commanding the -army in chief, reprimanding the officers of the Madras -European regiment, removing Lieutenant Maitland from -the quarter-mastership, and ordering Lieutenant D. Forbes -to command at Condapillee; as also the appointment of -Lieutenant Maitland to command a detail of the corps -ordered to serve as marines, and Lieutenant D. Forbes to -command a detail of the corps at Prince of Wales Island. -Those measures were no doubt adopted with a view of -checking any future symptoms of insubordination amongst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -the officers of the Madras European regiment. So far, -however, from being attended with the desired effect, they -only tended to increase the former state of irritation, and -their determination on resistance to the orders of the officer -commanding the army in chief, and Government, when -their fractious arrangements were fully organized, and -ready to be carried into execution by the disaffected, as -has since been fully confirmed by their late and daring -mutiny.</p> - -<p>Par. 7. "When I transmitted Lieutenant D. Forbes's -application to head-quarters for a general court martial, it -was accompanied by my official letter, and report of the -circumstances which occurred on the evening of the -24th May last, at the mess-room of the M. E. regiment, -and which is now subjoined for your information; as also -the correspondence which subsequently passed between me -and the officers of the Madras European regiment upon -this interesting subject, now under consideration; which I -felt it my duty to forward to head-quarters for the consideration -of the Commander-in-Chief, for the reasons -assigned in my two notes addressed to Lieutenant and -Adjutant Nixon. It only therefore remains for me to add, -that what I honestly, candidly, and conscientiously stated -to have taken place at the mess of the M. E. regiment on -the evening of the 7th of May last, was the substance of -what actually passed, and, to the best of my recollection, -in nearly the same words, (or words to the same effect,) as -I most solemnly declare upon my honour, and am ready -to confirm upon oath.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut.-Col."<br /> -</div> -<p> -"Masulipatam,<br /> -19th July, 1809."<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p>Previous to entering upon the documents alluded to, I -will call your attention to the two following paragraphs of -the Governor General's letter, addressed to Sir G. H. Barlow, -Bart. K. B. Governor of Fort St. George, dated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -27th May, 1809; by which you will observe, I was not -only <i>sanctioned</i>, but <i>expected</i> to give every information to -the Commander-in-Chief and Government, (from my -official situation,) which could tend to check disaffection -in this division, and promote the public service either by -my own example and exertions, or by applying to a higher -authority to suppress it.</p> - -<p>Par. 89. "We concur also entirely in the sentiment -expressed in your general orders of the 1st ultimo, that it -is not sufficient for officers holding commands to avoid a -participation in such proceedings, but that it is their positive -and indispensable duty to adopt the most decided -measures for their suppression, and to report them to the -superior authorities. The purposes of tumult and sedition -may as effectually be promoted by their negative -concurrence as by their active participation.</p> - -<p>Par. 90. "The neglect of duty is an offence varying -only in degree from a positive violation of it; and any -officer who, apprised of the progress of disorderly proceedings -among those who are placed under his immediate -control, abstains from any attempt to suppress them either -by the exertion of his own authority or by an appeal to the -superior power, gives to those proceedings one mode of -encouragement, and cannot stand absolved of blame, nor -found a claim to immunity, nevertheless to a continuance -of that implicit confidence which is attached to stations of -authority, on the basis of so culpable and mischievous a -neutrality."</p> - -<div class="right"> -(A true copy.)<br /> -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut.-Col."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to the Adjutant-General<br /> -of the Army</i>.</p> - -<div class="right"> -"Fort St. George.<br /> -</div> -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>Paragraph 1. "I have the honour of -reporting to you, for the information of the officer commanding -the army in chief, and the Honourable the Governor -in Council, the particulars of the daring and premeditated -mutiny which occurred here on Sunday the -25th June, about two or three o'clock, P. M., when the -three detachments of the M. E. regiment were ordered to -embark on board the fleet as marines.</p> - -<p>Par. 2. "On the arrival of the Piedmontese frigate, -and Samarang sloop of war, at this place, I sent off a -letter to Captain Foote commanding the two ships, intimating -that the three detachments of the M. E. regiment were -ready to embark, was he prepared and authorized to receive -them on board his ships. The non-commissioned officers -and privates appeared to be highly pleased at going on this -duty.</p> - -<p>Par. 3. "About sunset I observed a boat landing with -some naval officers; and having invited Captain Foote on -shore, went down to meet and receive him at the sea gate, -to conduct him to my quarters, that we might communicate -fully on every subject which could tend to promote the -public service, in carrying the orders of the officer commanding -the army in chief into execution.</p> - -<p>Par. 4. "Just as the naval officers were nearly landed, -I was called aside by Lieutenant Charles Forbes of the -M. E. regiment, who was accompanied by Captains Kelly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -and Harrington of the 1st battalion 19th regiment N. I., -Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon, and Lieutenant and -Quarter-Master Spankie of the M. E. regiment. Captain -Kelly then read a paper, which they were deputed to -communicate to me not only by the officers of the garrison, -but those of this division, requesting I would postpone the -embarkation of the detachments of the M. E. regiment till -they could receive an answer to an address they had it in -contemplation to submit to the Commander-in-Chief, and -the Honourable the Governor in Council, <i>demanding</i> a -redress of <i>grievances</i>. To this application I pointedly -objected, having no authority to set aside the instructions -I received from the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>Par. 5. "Lieutenant Spankie then boasted of their -having the most positive assurances of support from the -troops at Hyderabad, Jaulnah, the Bombay army, and -every division on the coast. I then observed, that I hoped -those expectations would not induce them to resist the embarkation, -by being guilty of mutiny, and by trying -whether the troops would obey them or me. To order the -whole in arrest, was <i>now</i> my <i>only</i> alternative. This, -however, I could not attempt, or expect their obedience -to my authority, under existing circumstances, and -'standing alone.'</p> - -<p>Par. 6. "At this instant the purser of the Piedmontese -delivered to me a letter from Captain Foote, annexed; -which upon opening, it proved to be an official letter from -the chief secretary of Government, dated 22d June 1809, -ordering me to embark the detachment of H. M. 59th -regiment of foot on board the Samarang with the least -delay. I then inquired of the purser if he had not brought -any other letter to me from Captain Foote? He replied -in the negative, nor did he hear of any detachment being -ordered on board but that of the 59th. This the deputation -saw and heard.</p> - -<p>Par. 7. "But apprehending some mistake had occurred, -I told the deputation I expected a reply to my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -letter of that day, sent to Captain Foote, which would -elucidate the subject. At 10 o'clock P. M. it reached me, -referring me to his letter sent by the purser. I, of course, -concluded that the one from the secretary of Government -was the one he alluded to, and sent Captain Foote's letter -to Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon directly: and we concluded -that the detachments of the Madras European -regiment were not expected to embark; which I communicated -to the officers on parade next morning; adding, -that they must be prepared to embark at an hour's notice -in any other ships that might arrive to receive them on -board, which appeared to give much satisfaction, finding -they were not going by this opportunity.</p> - -<p>Par. 8. "About 1 o'clock P. M., 25th June, the -Purser, and Mr. Midshipman Shepperd, of the Samarang, -returned from the Pettah to my quarters; and, to my -astonishment, put Captain Foote's first and original letter -(alluded to in his second) into my hand, which, by mistake, -they had omitted to do the previous evening. I -then expressed my regret at what had passed, although I -was convinced it made no difference; as I conceived, -from what passed the evening before, that the embarkation -of the Madras European regiment's detachments -would be resisted by the <i>officers of the garrison</i> at all -events.</p> - -<p>Par. 9. "I then sent for Lieutenant and Adjutant -Nixon, showed him Captain Foote's letter, (No. 4, annexed,) -and directed him to have the parties ready to go -on board at 6 P. M., and to send the officers ordered on -this duty to receive my instructions. I at the same time -observed to the Adjutant, that, from what had passed the -previous evening, I had every reason to suppose the embarkation -would be resisted; and begged and conjured -him to consider of the consequences; and to inform the -officers, that if they would pledge their <i>honour</i> not to interfere -with me in the <i>execution of my duty</i>, by carrying -the orders of the Commander-in-Chief and Government into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -execution, it would afford me the highest satisfaction, and -preserve order and tranquillity.</p> - -<p>Par. 10. "If, however, resistance was intended to be -offered by the <i>officers</i> to the embarkation, I would reluctantly -be reduced to the disagreeable necessity of applying -to Captain Foote of the Piedmontese to land the marines -of both ships, and every seaman who could be spared, to -see the orders of Government and the Commander-in-Chief -<i>respected</i>, and to enable me to carry them into execution.</p> - -<p>Par. 11. "So soon as the order for embarking was -made public, and shown to the officers, they ran, in a disorderly, -tumultuous, and mutinous manner, to the barracks -of the Madras European regiment and the 1st battalion -19th regiment native infantry, calling on the men to -arm, and prevailed on them to join them in the mutiny, -and opposition to my orders, and those of the Commander-in-Chief -and the Honourable the Governor in Council.</p> - -<p>Par. 12. "Captain Kelly, Lieutenant and Quarter-Master -Spankie, and some other officers, came over to my -quarters, conjuring me not to insist on the embarkation, or -to send to Captain Foote for assistance, which could only -occasion the shedding of much innocent blood, and endangering -the loss of the country. All this passed before -the naval gentlemen. Their first observation was a most -serious one, having got the two corps to join them in the -mutiny.</p> - -<p>Par. 13. "Another party of officers came shortly after -up to my quarters, repeating what the other officers had -done, and upbraiding me with giving incorrect information -to Government and the Commander-in-Chief relative -to what passed on the 7th ult. at the mess; on which they -acted, and dispersed the regiment, on my suggestions, as -a punishment, and which they never would accede to. -Many other observations passed I do not exactly recollect: -but I again intimated to the gentlemen, that, had they -obeyed the orders issued, no mutiny could have occurred,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -or the public service been impeded, by their conduct and -exertions.</p> - -<p>Par. 14. "Major Storey, who had been sent for by the -officers in the Fort to join in their mutiny, then came to -my quarters, told me the two corps were under arms, and -would not be dismissed but by a proper authority; and -that he was called upon by the gentlemen to assume the -command, and put me under close arrest, for the preservation -of the garrison.</p> - -<p>Par. 15. "I observed to Major Storey, that I neither -could or would acknowledge his illegal arrest, and usurped -authority, (although he might put me into close confinement,) -for which he and the other officers would have -to answer hereafter; having not only mutinied, but prevailed -on the troops in garrison to do so, by ordering -them under arms, (without my authority,) which they -prevailed upon them to resist.</p> - -<p>Par. 15. "Major Storey then ordered my letters to be -seized that were coming from the post office, to be examined -by him, and not to allow any to pass out, or any -gentleman to visit me, without his permission. He then, -'I hear,' issued a garrison order, assuming the command, -(as Captain Andrews did of the Madras European regiment,) -and sent off letters to Hyderabad, Bombay, Travancore, -and every other station and encampment that -had united with them in the diabolical conspiracy against -the Government of Fort St. George, as will appear on reference -to the register of letters dispatched after the mutiny -from the post office here; having completely laid aside -the mask, publicly avowing and boasting of the support -they depended upon receiving from their friends, in having -their grievances redressed, imposed on them by their -tyrannical Government.</p> - -<p>Par. 17. "Here it is requisite to observe, Lieutenant -Cecil, Dr. Anderson, and Mr. Assistant Surgeon Jones, of -the Madras European regiment, did not join in the mutiny; -nor do I think the non-commissioned and privates of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -the Madras European regiment, or the native commissioned, -non-commissioned and privates of the 1st battalion -19th native infantry, would, had they not been <i>misguided</i> -by their guilty officers, <i>who even</i> then, 'I hear,' had some -difficulty to prevail on them to mutiny against my authority -and that of the Commander-in-Chief and Government.</p> - -<p>Par. 18. "Lieutenant Cecil, who commanded the -main-guard, having declined on every occasion to join the -other officers in their disorderly and insubordinate conduct, -by resisting the measures of Government, was relieved -from the duty of the main-guard by the mutineers; -not, however, till he had <i>twice</i> waited on me, at the risk -of his life; the second time after I was arrested, when I -told him to submit, opposition being then of no use, and, -being ill, to report himself sick, to avoid future ill treatment -from the mutineers.</p> - -<p>Par. 19. "Finding my letters seized by the mutineers, -I sent a letter secretly to Captain Foote by his purser, -with a request that copies of it might be transmitted without -delay to the Commander-in-Chief and the Honourable -the Governor in Council, for their information, having no -other means of reporting to them till I was liberated; when -a statement of circumstances would be duly forwarded, -which will fully <i>prove</i> that nothing was wanting on my -part to carry my instructions into execution instantly, notwithstanding -the state of affairs here, so frequently reported -since my assuming the command of the Madras -European regiment and this division; previous to which, -their opposition to the measures of Government (and confederacy -alluded to,) had commenced with the Madras -and Bombay army.</p> - -<p>Par. 20. "In justice to the purser of the Piedmontese, -I must here observe, that his mistake, in not delivering -the letter sooner, was of no other consequence but that of -delaying the mutiny a few hours, it being regularly -organized, and resolved upon for some time past, and my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -being arrested, that I might not impede their seditious -plans against Government, so actively carried on; <i>sorry I -am to add, with too much success</i>. Understanding that -General Pater will not reach this place before the 15th -July, I forward this letter in a private and secret manner, -that Government may be in possession of the fullest information -on the 3d July, in case I may be put to death by -the mutineers before or after the arrival of Major General -Pater, commanding officer of this division.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(A true copy.)<br /> -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut. Col.<br /> -Commanding Masulipatam,<br /> -in charge N. D. of the Army."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Private Note from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to<br /> -Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Malcolm</span>, <i>dated Masulipatam,<br /> -20th July, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I am favoured with your note of this day's -date. In reply to which I have to state, that I had no -communications with the officers of the Madras European -regiment on the subject of reducing the corps. But when -Lieutenant Spankie waited upon me, to receive the Commander-in-Chief's -letter, I intimated to him, on his refusing -to accept of the quarter-mastership, proffered to him -by General Gowdie, that if he did so, it was the General's -intention to bring him to a general court martial. I at the -same time conjured him to accept of the situation offered -to him, as on the conduct of the officers of the regiment -much depended, on this occasion; for if they persisted in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -the unwarrantable conduct they were now pursuing, the -regiment would be reduced, and all those not on the staff -put upon the half-pay of their rank. I then told Lieutenant -S., that other plans, of a much more pleasant nature, -were in contemplation for the regiment, which the officers -seemed determined to put a stop to. I therefore begged -and entreated that he and his friends would maturely and -deliberately consider of existing circumstances, and study -their own interest, and that of the public, by acceding to -the General's wishes; which nothing upon earth could -have induced me to make known to Lieutenant S. but the -extreme desire I had to preserve order and tranquillity, in -order to promote the benefit of the regiment and the public -service. My letter from the General was a <i>private</i> -one; but, I conceived, couched in such terms, as to authorize -my making use of the information it contained, to -check the irritation that existed in the corps.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Yours sincerely,<br /> -(Signed) J. INNES.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to Lieutenant-Colonel</i> -<span class="smcap">Malcolm</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>When I received the order of the Commander-in-Chief, -appointing Lieutenant Maitland to command the -first party ordered to serve as marines on board the Fox -frigate, I was waited upon by Captain Yard and four subalterns -of the Madras European regiment, (in the name -of the corps,) requesting I would nominate any subaltern -in the regiment to go in the room of Lieutenant Maitland -(who was always sick at sea), or permit one to -volunteer his services.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>I accordingly showed the deputation my instructions -and orders, from which I had not authority to <i>deviate</i>; -but offered to write to the Commander-in-Chief for his -permission, which they would not accede to. I at the -same time assured the gentlemen, the Honourable the -Governor in Council, and officer commanding the army in -chief, were ready to forget and forgive every thing that -had taken place; and that I would have much pleasure -in accepting and forwarding any apology, 'however slight,' -which Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland might send me; -and did not entertain a doubt but should be able to get -Lieutenant Maitland restored to his quarter-mastership, -and Lieutenant D. Forbes continued with the regiment. -They, notwithstanding, persisted in making <i>no</i> apology, -and the subject was dropped, to my great regret.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "J. INNES."<br /> -</div> -<p> -"Masulipatam, 22d July, 1809."<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Abstract</span> <i>of the Evidence of Captain</i> <span class="smcap">Andrews</span> <i>of<br /> -the Honourable Company's European Regiment,<br /> -and Captain</i> <span class="smcap">Kelly</span> <i>of the 1st Battalion 19th<br /> -Infantry, which is corroborated by several other<br /> -Officers of the Garrison</i>.</p> - -<p>"On the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel James Innes -at Masulipatam on the 7th ultimo, to assume the command -of the Madras European regiment, he was invited to dinner -at the regimental mess, where there were several strangers -present. In the course of the evening a toast was proposed, -which it was conceived could not be objected to by any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -one, whatever might be his opinion of the recent acts of -Government that have excited such general discontent -amongst the officers of the coast army; viz. "The friends -of the Madras army." We were therefore much surprised -to hear Lieutenant-Colonel Innes express his disapprobation -of it, and his wish that it might be changed to a -more general one; viz. "The Madras army." Several -observed, that there were officers in this army who were -not its friends, and it appeared to be the general opinion -of the Company that the toast should be given out as at -first proposed. Colonel Innes immediately arose from the -table; and as he was going out of the mess-room, the toast -was drank with loud applauses. This, we have reason to -think, he construes into his being hooted out of the mess. -Next day Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland were informed, -that if they did not apologize for some observations -said to be made by them at the mess in the presence -of their commanding officer, their conduct would be reported -to head-quarters. Those officers were, however, -acquainted that they should be furnished with a copy of -the report. As no specific observations were mentioned -by Colonel Innes, and as those officers had neither said -nor done any thing that required an apology, they of -course refused to make any. When it was supposed that -Colonel Innes intended to recommend himself to Government -by informing them of the conversation of a convivial -party, the officers of the regiment resolved to have no further -communication with him, except in cases of duty. -Some days afterwards, Lieutenants Spankie and Hancorn -waited upon Colonel Innes, and explained to him fully -their motives for declining to hold any private intercourse -with him. In the course of a long conversation he repeatedly -told them, that he had not reported Lieutenants Forbes -and Maitland; and at last assured them, unless obliged to -do so by some future conduct of theirs, he would not. -With this assurance the officers of the regiment were so -satisfied, that they altered their behaviour towards Colonel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -Innes. His declarations, however, were equivocal and -false, as will appear by the letter No. 1, which was published -in the regimental orders of the 22d ult. He has acknowledged -by the letter No. 2, that it was written in consequence -of information communicated by him in a private -letter, but which he pretended he did not think would have -been acted upon. Agreeably to the orders, Lieutenant -David Forbes submitted to the punishment inflicted upon -him; but, previous to his departure for Condapillee, he -requested the Commander-in-Chief to give him an opportunity -of proving his innocence of the charge laid against -him before a general court martial. The answer he received -to this was, that 'the Commander-in-Chief deemed -his application inadmissible:' but no reason whatever was -assigned. Vide letters, No. 3 and 4. Colonel Innes put -Lieutenant Fenwick's name in orders, to succeed to the -situation of Lieutenant Maitland; but that officer begged -leave to decline acceptance of it under the existing circumstances. -The quarter-mastership was then offered to Lieutenant -Spankie, who was told, that if he refused the situation -he would be brought to a court martial; that the regiment -would be disbanded, and the officers placed upon -half-pay. Vide the Memorandum, No. 5, written by -Lieutenant Spankie in the presence of Colonel Innes, by -whom they were dictated. He was also desired to recollect -the situation of Captain Yard, a married man with a -large family, and to reflect upon the misfortunes he would -bring down upon his brother officers; but if he would accept -the appointment, there were favours for the regiment -in contemplation of Government. Thus the fate of a regiment, -and the favours or frowns of a Government, depended -upon the will of an individual; and officers of all ranks -were to be punished, if his conduct (over which they had -no control) proved unsatisfactory!—Vide letter, No. 6, from -Colonel Innes to Lieutenant Spankie.—On the receipt of the -general order appointing him quarter-master, Lieutenant -Spankie did, however, send a letter to the Honourable the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -Governor in Council; and upon Colonel Innes's refusal to -forward it through the regular channel, he forwarded it -direct, in which he requested to relinquish the situation.—Vide -letter, No. 7.—To this letter no answer was ever returned. -At the same time that Colonel Innes forwarded the -application of Lieutenant D. Forbes for a court martial, -he transmitted an official statement of what had occurred -at the regimental mess, in his presence, on the evening of -the 7th ult. When Lieutenant Maitland was acquainted -with this circumstance, he applied to him for a copy of -such parts as concerned himself.—Vide letter, No. 8.—Colonel -Innes refused to comply with this request, stating -that Government would be guided by his report of that -day, and decide accordingly. He also mentioned, that, -as far as he knew, private information would not have been -acted upon, had the expected apology been made; and he -imputed to Lieutenant Maitland an observation which he -said was made at the mess that evening regarding the Hyderabad -subsidiary force.—Vide letter, No. 9.—-Lieutenant -Maitland informed him, in reply, that, until the receipt -of his note of this day, he did not know for what -words or actions of his an apology had been required, and -most solemnly denied having made any observations regarding -the Hyderabad subsidiary force on the night -alluded to, or at any other time, in Colonel Innes's presence.—Vide -letter, No. 10.—The letter, No. 11, was -signed by every officer present with the regiment, excepting -one, to whom it was not sent. On the receipt of it, -Colonel Innes wrote an official note to the adjutant, in -which he promised to forward the above letter, and requesting -the officers of the regiment, who were present at -the mess on the 7th ult., to draw up a statement of the circumstances -which induced him to quit the mess-room on -the evening of that day.—Vide letter, No. 12.—The letter, -No. 13, is a copy of their answer. On the 2d of June arrived -an order, directing Lieutenant D. Forbes to proceed -forthwith to the Presidency, and there to embark for Penang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -for the purpose of taking charge of a few men of the regiment -stationed at that island. Lieutenant Maitland was -at the same time ordered to hold himself in readiness with -thirty men of the regiment to go on board the Samarang -sloop of war, as marines. In consequence of this order, a -deputation from the officers of the Madras European regiment -waited upon Colonel Innes, and earnestly requested -him to select two other officers for the above duties. They -strongly pressed upon him the impropriety of selecting two -officers whose conduct had been branded in orders. If -those gentlemen had been guilty of conduct contrary to -every principle of military subordination, they were unfit -to be sent on command with that stigma hanging over -them; and if innocent, as the officers of the regiment -asserted them to be, they ought not to be ordered from -the coast until an investigation should take place, and -the charge as publicly retracted as it had been preferred. -It is here necessary to observe, that during -the conference between Colonel Innes and the deputation, -he read to them an extract from a letter received -from the Commander-in-Chief, threatening the regiment's -being disbanded. Respecting Lieutenants Forbes and -Maitland, he said he could not select two others, as -those officers had been nominated by the Commander-in-Chief. -He acknowledged that he might have been -mistaken as to Lieutenant Maitland's person, and that -he now saw the matter in a different light to what he -did at first. He also said, that the letter, No. 1, should -be expunged from the orderly books; and that if Lieutenants -Forbes and Maitland would offer some slight -apology, he would endeavour to get the latter reinstated -in his appointment. The apology was positively -refused.</p> - -<p>"Upon a candid consideration of the preceding circumstances, -it will not excite surprise when we state, -that alarm and indignation were excited in the minds -of the officers. The false aspersions cast upon their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -characters might have tended to have lowered them in -the opinion of the men, ignorant as they must have been -of the circumstances which occasioned it. The two officers -were naturally supposed to have been selected for -some punishment, as Colonel Innes had publicly declared -that such was the intention by their being appointed to -those commands. At any rate, their feelings had been -wounded by the severe reflections against them, contained -in the letter of the Commander-in-Chief, which -was published to the regiment. A court martial had been -positively refused to the application of one of those injured -officers, which was the only means he knew to clear up his -character before the world.</p> - -<p>"All the circumstances above stated took place previous -to the 10th of June. We afterwards found that two -more detachments were ordered from the Madras European -regiment, to act as marines. We found that the -officers of various stations concurred in opinion with the -officers of this garrison regarding the illegality of the order -respecting Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland, and the unjust -treatment experienced by the Madras European regiment -in general; and we heard from different quarters, -that it really was intended to disband the regiment, which -circumstances rendered extremely probable. On the arrival, -therefore, of the Piedmontese and Samarang ships of -war, a deputation from the officers of the garrison waited -upon Colonel Innes, and requested him to suspend the -execution of the orders regarding the three detachments -of marines, until we had made a representation on the subject -to the Commander-in-Chief, for the decision of the -Honourable the Governor in Council. With this request -he positively refused to comply, and threatened to enforce -obedience to his orders by an appeal to the men. Next -day he seemed determined to abide by the resolution he -had expressed to the deputation, but appeared to be sensible -that the officers ordered to act as marines would not be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -allowed to embark, and that the men respected their officers -too much to go without them.</p> - -<p>"He therefore stated, his determination to carry his -orders into execution, with the assistance of the detachments -of H. M. 59th regiment, the artillery, and a body of -men which he said would be landed from H. M. ships then -in the roads, as more particularly mentioned in the reasons -signed by the deputation, and forwarded to head-quarters -by Major Storey, with his official account of what occurred -here on the 25th June."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="APPENDIXS" id="APPENDIXS">APPENDIX</a></h2> - -<p class="center">TO THE<br /> -STATEMENT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL INNES.<br /><br /> -<i>Copy of regimental Orders published by Lieutenant-Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>in the Orderly Book of the Madras<br /> -European Regiment</i>.<br /><br /> -R. O. BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Masulipatam, 22d May, 1809.<br /> -</div> - -<p>Lieutenant David Forbes, of the Madras European -regiment, is appointed to command at Condapilly, and directed -to proceed to that station in the course of twenty-four -hours after the publication of this order. The officer now -in command of that garrison is directed to join his corps -on being relieved by Lieutenant Forbes, who will not be -permitted to be absent from Condapilly unless it becomes -necessary for his health.</p> - -<p>The following letter is published for the information of -the officers of the Madras European regiment, in conformity -with which Lieutenant Maitland is removed from -the appointment of quarter-master, and Lieutenant Fenwick -is appointed to act as quarter-master, and to take -charge of the office immediately, till further orders.</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>To the Officer Commanding, or Senior Officer in -charge of the Madras European Regiment.</i></p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>It having come to the knowledge of the -officer commanding the army, that conduct highly indecorous, -and contrary to every principle of military -subordination, was observed at the mess of the Madras -European regiment on the 7th instant, and that Lieutenant -David Forbes and Lieutenant and Quarter-Master Maitland -were the authors and supporters of it, I am directed -to desire that you will express to the officers of the M. E. -regiment the officer commanding the army's highest disapprobation -of such conduct; and inform them, that a -repetition of such irregularity will involve the whole corps -in the severest penalty to which such insubordinate proceedings -are liable; but which, however, from the benefit -of your example, the officer commanding the army is yet -disposed to think it will be unnecessary to resort to. Notwithstanding -this hope, the officer commanding the army -feels himself called upon to mark, by a suitable example, -the authors of the exceptionable conduct that has come to -his notice; and, with that view, has taken upon himself to -anticipate the sanction of the Honourable the Governor in -Council for the removal of Lieutenant Maitland from the -situation of quarter-master of the Madras European regiment. -For this purpose, I am directed by the officer -commanding the army to desire that you will remove -Lieutenant Maitland from the charge of the appointment -of quarter-master of the regiment, and that you will yourself -appoint to succeed him the subaltern officer whose -conduct you most approve, and forward his name to this -office, that the officer commanding the army may recommend -to Government to confirm your selection. Lieutenant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -David Forbes you will be pleased to appoint to command -at Condapilly, and direct him to proceed in twenty-four -hours after the publication of your orders, directing -the officer now there to return to join his corps. And it -is the officer commanding the army's further orders, that -Lieutenant Forbes may not be permitted to be absent from -Condapilly, unless it become necessary for his health.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. H. S. CONWAY,<br /> -Adjutant-General.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Adjutant-General's Office,<br /> -17th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h3>No. II.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter addressed to Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Nixon</span>,<br /> -<i>Adjutant of the Madras European Regiment</i>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I previously intimated to you, and -some of the other officers of the corps, that I would not -report what passed on the 7th instant at the mess <i>officially</i>. -That I mentioned the circumstances <i>privately</i>, I acknowledge, -knowing that if I omitted to do so, other accounts -would soon reach Madras. I have now stated the circumstances -officially to head-quarters.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Yours truly,<br /> -(Signed) J. INNES, M. E. Regt.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -24th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. III.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of an Application from Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">D. Forbes</span><br /> -<i>for a Court Martial</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES, -<span class="smcap">COMMANDING THE MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>As the information which the officer commanding -the army in chief has received of my conduct at -the regimental mess on the evening of the 7th instant must -have been extremely incorrect; in vindication of my -character, I have requested, in the accompanying letter, -a public investigation, and beg you will forward it to the -Adjutant-General of the army.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) D. FORBES,<br /> -Lieutenant of the Madras<br /> -European Regiment.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -22d May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - - -<p class="center">TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>Having been accused, in the copy of a -letter from you, published in regimental orders of the -22d instant, of being one of the "authors and supporters -of conduct highly indecorous, and contrary to every -principle of military subordination," I beg leave to -request, that I may be allowed the privilege of being -allowed attempting to prove my innocence of that most -serious charge before a general court martial; and I have -to request that you will lay this my desire before the officer -commanding the army in chief.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) D. FORBES,<br /> -Lieutenant of the Madras<br /> -European Regiment.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -22d May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to the<br /> -Adjutant-General of the Army</i>.</p> - -<p> -Fort St. George.<br /> -<br /> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour herewith to transmit to -you an official note, received last night, from Lieutenant -D. Forbes of the Madras European regiment, with one to -your address; both of which I request may be submitted -to the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>If Lieutenant Forbes's application is complied with, -every young officer under my command will soon be -making similar applications to head-quarters.</p> - -<p>The gross and public disrespect shown by Lieutenants -D. Forbes and Maitland, of the Madras European regiment, -at the regimental mess of that corps, on the night of the -7th instant, so derogatory to the dignity of the Honourable -the Governor in Council and Commander-in-Chief, from -the observations made by these officers on the Government -orders and those of the Commander-in-Chief, then received, -dated 1st May; as also on the steady conduct of the native -troops at Hyderabad, which was instantly noticed by me, -calling upon Lieutenant D. Forbes to change the <i>toast</i> he -proposed from the <i>friends of the army</i> to that of the <i>Madras -army</i>, which was pointedly rejected, and the former one -repeated, with three times three, obliging me to quit the -mess-room; and for which improper conduct Lieutenants -Forbes and Maitland subsequently declined to make an -apology. I therefore feel it now my duty to report the -circumstance officially, for the information of the Honourable -the Governor in Council, and Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) JAMES INNES,<br /> -<br /> -Lieut.-Colonel commanding at<br /> -Masulipatam.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -24th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from the Adjutant-General to the Officer<br /> -commanding the Northern Division of the Army.</i></p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>The officer commanding the army requests -you will nominate Lieutenant Maitland, of the Madras -European regiment, to the command of the detachment of -that corps ordered to serve as marines on board his Majesty's -ship the Fox; and that you will direct Lieutenant -D. Forbes, of the Madras European regiment, to proceed -forthwith to the Presidency, for the purpose of embarking -for Prince of Wales Island, to take charge of the corps -doing duty there.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. H. CONWAY,<br /> -Adjutant-General.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Adjutant-General's Office,<br /> -27th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h3>No. IV.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of the Reply to the Application of Lieutenant</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">D. Forbes</span>.</p> - -<p class="center">>TO LIEUTENANT D. FORBES, -MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour to annex, for your information, -extract of a letter received from the officer commanding -the army in chief.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. INNES,<br /> -Lieut.-Colonel in Charge of the<br /> -Northern Division of the<br /> -Army.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -5th June, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span>, <i>dated Adjutant-General's Office,<br /> -31st May, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"In reply to Lieutenant Colonel Innes's letter of -the 24th instant, I have the honour to inform you, that -Lieutenant D. Forbes's letter, applying to be tried by a -general court martial, has been submitted to the officer -commanding the army, who deems that officer's request -inadmissible."</p> - -<div class="right"> -(A true extract.)<br /> -(Signed) J. INNES,<br /> -</div> - -<p>Lieut.-Colonel in Charge of the -Northern Division of the -Army.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. V.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Memorandum written in the Presence of Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Innes</span>, <i>and dictated by him</i>.</p> - -<p>"1st. Provided I (Lieutenant Spankie) do not accept -of the situation of quarter-master to the Madras European -regiment, I must be brought to a court martial for disobedience -of orders.</p> - -<p>"2dly. If I (Lieutenant S.) still persist in refusing -the situation, the regiment will be reduced, and every -officer not on the general staff placed on half-pay.</p> - -<p>"3dly. In the event of my accepting this situation, -other plans of a much more pleasant nature have been in -contemplation for the regiment, which the officers seem -determined to put a stop to."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. VI.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span><br /> -<i>to Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Spankie</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">My dear Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I believe I forgot to remark, that your -situation and Lieutenant Fennick's are very different now. -Under existing circumstances it was equally proper for him -to decline accepting of the quarter-mastership, as it is -absolutely proper and necessary that you should accede to -the General's wishes, to serve a whole regiment. Think -of this.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Yours truly,<br /> -(Signed) J. INNES.<br /> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. VII.</h3> - - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Spankie</span> <i>to the<br /> -Honourable Sir</i> <span class="smcap">G. Barlow</span>, <i>Bart. K. B. Governor<br /> -in Council, Fort St. George</i>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Honourable Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour to request you to -accept my resignation of the situation of quarter-master of -the Madras European regiment. I have signed an official -paper, in which I have declared, that I conceive Lieutenant -Maitland has been removed from his appointment in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -consequence of an erroneous report of his conduct having -come to the knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief, and -this is still my decided opinion. On this account, and to -prevent my being removed on private information, without -having an opportunity of getting my conduct publicly investigated, -I hope you will do me the favour to comply -with my most earnest request to be permitted to relinquish -a situation which I cannot hold, and at the same time -retain the good opinion of my brother officers.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. S. SPANKIE,<br /> -Lieutenant of the Madras<br /> -European Regiment.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. VIII.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Maitland</span> <i>to<br /> -Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have this moment understood that you -have found it necessary to report my conduct to the Commander-in-Chief. -As I am not conscious of any misconduct, -it is probable I may have something to allege in my -defence; I therefore beg leave to request a copy of your -report, or at least to be made acquainted with its purport.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) G. G. MAITLAND,<br /> -Lieutenant of the Madras European<br /> -Regiment.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -24th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. IX.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to<br /> -Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Maitland</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>Under existing circumstances, I deem your -application inadmissible. Government will be guided by -my report of this day, and will decide accordingly. So -far as relates to yourself, you may apply to the Adjutant-General -of the army for a copy. I am left to regret that -you and Lieutenant Forbes did not make the <i>required -apology</i> for your conduct on the 7th instant. Had you -done so, as I requested, private information would not -have been acted upon, as far as I know. Matters must -now take their course. I will still forward any explanations -you may state to me with respect to the <i>observations -you made</i> at the <i>mess</i> on the 7th instant, so <i>publicly</i>, with -respect to the Nizam's detachment, and officers who are -not friends of the army.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. INNES, Lieut.-Col.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. X.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Maitland</span> <i>to<br /> -Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I am sorry that circumstances exist to subject -me to be condemned unheard for a time. I hope -Government will not decide upon your report until I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -have an opportunity of defending myself; which, according -to your letter, I must look for from the Adjutant-General -of the army. Until I received your letter this day, -I never knew for what words or actions of mine an apology -was required; or I most solemnly deny ever having given -any opinion, in any way, regarding the Nizam's detachment -and its officers, that night, or at any other time, in -your presence.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) G. G. MAITLAND,<br /> -Lieutenant of the Madras European<br /> -Regiment.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -24th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. XI.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from the Officers of the Madras<br /> -European Regiment to the Adjutant-General of<br /> -the Army.</i></p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>It was with the most extreme concern that -in our regimental orders of the 22d instant we found a copy -of a letter from you, by which we were informed, that it -had come to the knowledge of the officer commanding the -army, that conduct highly indecorous, and contrary to -every principle of military subordination, had been observed -at the mess of the Madras European regiment on -the 7th instant. We beg leave to assure you, for the information -of Major-General Gowdie, that it appears to us -that the account he has received of the conduct of those -officers, who were present at the mess on that evening, -must have been erroneous.</p> - -<p>We cannot help lamenting that such a stigma on the -character of so numerous a body of officers as we form, -should have been thus publicly thrown out, before we had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> -been furnished with a copy of the report that has been -made against us.</p> - -<p>We have seen, with the deepest regret, two of our brother -officers punished, without being specifically informed -what part of their conduct at the regimental mess induced -the officer commanding the army to suppose them to have -been guilty of the serious crime with which they are -charged; and we naturally feel considerable apprehension -lest "the whole corps should," in a similar manner, "be -involved in the severest penalty to which insubordinate -proceedings are liable." We trust, therefore, that you -will state to Major-General Gowdie our confident hope -that he will have the goodness to direct us to be furnished -with a copy of the information which he has received regarding -the conduct observed at the mess on the night of -the 7th instant. When we receive this, we have no doubt -of being able to convince the officer commanding the -army in chief, that the conduct of those who were present -on that occasion did by no means merit the severe censure -with which it has been marked.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Signed by all the Officers present<br /> -with the regiment, except one,<br /> -to whom it was not presented.<br /> -</div> - -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -27th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - - -<p class="center"><i>Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to the<br /> -Adjutant-General of the army</i>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour to forward to you an -address from the officers of my corps, which they wish to -be submitted to the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> - -<p>To elucidate the subject, I now transmit a copy of my -note written to the officers of my corps the moment I got -their letter yesterday; and when I receive the document -called for, it shall be handed to you directly, with every -comment I deem requisite to make on it. They go herewith.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) JAMES INNES,<br /> -Lieut.-Col. M. E. regiment, in<br /> -charge N. D. of the army.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -28th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from the Adjutant-General to<br /> -the Officer commanding the Northern Division of<br /> -the Army.</i></p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have had the honour to submit your letter -of the 28th ult. with its enclosures, to the officer commanding -the army, by whom I am directed to acquaint -you, that he regrets you should have entered into any -correspondence with the officers of the M. E. regiment -on the subject, or deemed it necessary to forward their -letter to head-quarters, as his decision was not adopted -without due consideration, and is final.</p> - -<p>If Lieutenant Forbes's presence is required by the -Court of Inquiry now sitting at Masulipatam, you will be -pleased to order him to attend.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. H. CONWAY,<br /> -Adjutant-General.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Adjutant-General's Office,<br /> -8th June, 1809.<br /> -(True Copies.)<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. XII.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel</i> <span class="smcap">Innes</span> <i>to<br /> -Lieutenant and Adjutant</i> <span class="smcap">Nixon</span>.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt -of an address from the officers of the Madras European -regiment to the Adjutant-General of the army, which -shall be forwarded to be submitted to the officer commanding -the army in chief. I have therefore to direct, that a -<i>statement</i> of the <i>circumstances</i> which passed on the 7th -instant in the mess-room of the Madras European regiment, -may be made out by the gentlemen of the corps -now present, who dined at the mess-room on that day, -which obliged me to quit the mess-room of the corps. No -apology was ever subsequently made to me, although -required and expected, by Lieutenants D. Forbes and -Maitland, (as it was their duty to do,) for the pointed disrespect -shown by them to the dignity of the Honourable -the Governor in Council, and Commander-in-Chief, in my -presence, their immediate commanding officer.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) J. INNES,<br /> -Lieut.-Col. M. E. regiment, in<br /> -charge N. D. of the army.<br /> -</div> -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -27th May, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> - - -<h3>No. XIII.</h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Copy of the Reply of the Officers of the Madras -European Regiment to the above Letter.</i></p> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES,<br /> -COMMANDING THE MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>Agreeably to your orders, communicated -to us by Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon, we have the -honour to state, that we were present at the regimental -mess on the evening of the 7th instant, and that it was with -considerable astonishment we observed you leave the mess -so abruptly. We are unable to say what was the occasion -of your doing so. "The friends of the army" was -proposed as a toast, and we conceived it to be one that -would not have been objected to; but as you wished to -alter it, and rose from table when it was about to be drank, -we conjectured it had given you offence, and that it was -on this account you left the mess. So far from observing -any pointed disrespect, we did not notice any disrespect -whatever, shown by Lieutenant D. Forbes or Lieutenant -Maitland to the dignity of the Governor in Council, and -Commander-in-Chief, in your presence; and until we see -the account you have forwarded on the subject to head-quarters, -we shall be at a loss to suppose what part of their -conduct on the night alluded to appeared to you to be -exceptionable.</p> - -<div class="right"> -Signed by all the Officers present<br /> -with the mess on the 7th instant.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Substance</span> <i>of the Deposition of Lieutenant</i> <span class="smcap">Nixon</span>,<br /> -<i>Adjutant</i>.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon informs Lieutenant-Colonel -Malcolm, that the best opinion he can form, from -his communication with confidential men, is, that the non-commissioned, -rank and file, of the Madras European regiment, -were alarmed in consequence of the measures -adopted towards their officers, Lieutenants D. Forbes and -Maitland, and the threat held out in the Adjutant-General's -letter, (published in the regimental orderly book,) lest -the most severe penalty might be inflicted on the regiment; -conjecturing that they must either be disbanded, transported, -or other ways disposed of, by way of punishment, -on a repetition of similar conduct of their officers. To use -their own expression, it was a general saying, "that they -might as well order out one of us to be flogged or -hanged up:" and certainly, in my opinion, from that -period great discontent prevailed amongst the men. This -discontent considerably increased from the order respecting -the marines nominating Lieutenant Maitland in particular, -and directing Lieutenant D. Forbes to proceed to -Penang; and afterwards by two other detachments being -ordered on marine service, to which they said, that they -did not enlist to come to India as marines. They were -also led to believe, from the ship's boat that landed here, -that no marines were required for the ships in the roads, -but that they wanted seamen only, and consequently supposed -they were to be turned over to the navy. These -points were most deeply impressed upon their minds by a -communication which was believed to have come from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -high authority of the Commander-in-Chief, that the regiment -was to be disbanded, and the officers put on half pay, -in case Lieutenant Spankie should not accept of the station -of quarter-master.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Nixon further states, that considerable discontent -exists in consequence of the great number of men -in the regiment who enlisted for general service, "time -unlimited," prior to Mr. Windham's act; and that they -consider it a hardship that they should not be admitted to -the full benefit of the act in point of limited service.</p> - -<p>Another cause of discontent is, that the regiment has not -its tour of duty in the field, and change of station, with his -Majesty's corps.</p> - -<p> -Masulipatam,<br /> -21st July, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3>No. XIV.</h3> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from a Letter dated 28th May, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p class="center">TO LIEUTENANT NIXON,<br /> -ADJUTANT MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,<br /> -</p> - -<p>I have the honour to acknowledge the -receipt of your note of this day's date, with the statement -I thought proper to order to be made out in my note of last -night to you, for the information of the officer commanding -the army in chief. I shall now merely confine myself -to remarking to the officers whose names appear to the -letter now received, that had they not made observations -on the late general orders of the Honourable the Governor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -in Council and Commander-in-Chief, and remarks on the -steady conduct of the officers of the subsidiary force at -Hyderabad, as also on officers "in the army" who are not -the <i>friends of the army</i>, I should not have quitted the -table at mess-room <i>merely</i> because "the friends of the -army" was proposed as a toast, which I requested might -be changed to the <i>Madras army</i>; and when not acceded -to, I felt myself called upon to quit the mess-room. -Very fortunately there were many strangers present at -dinner, as well as myself, whose recollection of what -passed on that day may be able to elucidate this subject, -should the Honourable the Governor in Council and Commander-in-Chief -deem it requisite to call upon them for -this purpose.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) JAMES INNES,<br /> -Lieut.-Col. M. E. Regiment, in<br /> -charge N. D. of the Army.<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Innes</span>, <i>dated 1st June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"A detail, consisting of a subaltern, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, -and 30 privates, belonging to the Madras European -regiment, to be held in readiness to embark at a short -notice on board the Fox frigate, to serve as marines. The -officer commanding the Madras European regiment will -give the requisite orders for the equipment of the above -detail, which Lieutenant Maitland is appointed to command.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European regiment -is relieved from the command of Condapillee, and -directed to proceed forthwith to the Presidency, for the -purpose of embarking for Prince of Wales's Island, to take -charge of the detail of the corps doing duty there.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ensign Dickson, 1st battalion 19th regiment native -infantry, is reappointed to command at Condapillee, and -directed to proceed to that station with the least delay, to -relieve Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European -regiment. The detail above named is to be struck off -garrison duty.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "JAMES INNES,<br /> -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge<br /> -of the N. D. of the Army."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Regimental Orders</i>.</p> - -<p> -"Madras European Regiment, 2d June, 1809.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"A roll of the detail ordered on board the Fox frigate, -to serve as marines, to be sent to the paymaster, to enable -him to furnish them with a pay certificate. The roll -alluded to, when ready, is to be inserted in the regimental -orderly book. Every thing requisite from the regimental -stores to equip the detail, is to be indented for directly, -that the whole may be prepared to embark at an hour's -notice. Pay is ordered to be issued to the detail alluded -to above.</p> - -<p>"The commanding officer has approved of the arrangement -made for the detail directed to embark; but as Lieutenant -Maitland has expressed a wish to the adjutant to -make some exchanges of the non-commissioned officers, -accedes to the wishes of Lieutenant Maitland, provided -the officers commanding the companies to whom they belong -consent to the exchange; otherwise those already -ordered will go."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from General Orders, 2d June</i>.</p> - -<p>"Pay in advance for June, and arrears for May, to be -issued to the troops under orders of embarkation in the -course of this day, to enable them to prepare for their -passage to the Presidency in the Fox frigate."</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Regimental Orders, Madras European<br /> -Regiment, dated 3d June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"The adjutant will furnish Lieutenant Maitland with -a roll of his detachment; and officers commanding companies -are directed to send to that officer the pay advanced -(as in yesterday's orders) for the detachment -ordered as marines."</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Innes</span>.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant Dixon of the 1st battalion 19th regiment -native infantry, having joined his corps this morning -with the detachment from Condapillee, is directed to -resume the command of that station to morrow, to relieve -Lieutenant D. Forbes, in conformity with the Division -Orders of the 1st instant, and will be provided with a passport -by the acting fort-adjutant.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "JAMES INNES,<br /> -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge<br /> -of the N. D. of the Army."<br /> -</div> -<p> -"Masulipatam,<br /> -"5th June, 1809."<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Regimental Orders, Madras European -Regiment, June 6th, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"The commanding officer having taken upon himself -to grant family certificates to the detail ordered on board -his Majesty's ship Fox, Lieutenant Maitland is requested -to refer to the last order issued upon this subject, which it -will be requisite to attend minutely, to prevent retrenchments -hereafter."</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">Innes</span>, <i>7th June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"The detail ordered from the Madras European regiment -is now reduced to 1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, -1 drum, and 26 privates,—in all 30,—to be held in readiness -to embark at a moment's notice on board the Samarang -sloop of war, hourly expected.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "J. INNES,<br /> -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge<br /> -of the N. D. of the Army."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Garrison Orders, 13th June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European -regiment being summoned as an evidence, by an Ensign -Baker, to attend the Court of Inquiry ordered to assemble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -for the purpose of investigating the conduct of Ensign -Baker, Lieutenant D. Forbes is consequently directed to -remain here till further orders."</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Garrison Orders, 20th June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"The detail from the Madras European regiment, -ordered to be held in readiness to serve as marines on -board the Samarang sloop of war, are directed to join their -respective companies, and to do garrison duty till further -orders; but to be considered as under Division Orders to -embark on a short notice."</p> - - -<hr class="let" /> -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Division Orders by Lieutenant-Colonel</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">James Innes</span>, <i>dated 23d June, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"Two detachments from the Madras European regiment -to be held in readiness to embark, at a short notice, -on board of such of his Majesty's ships as may be prepared -to receive them, to serve as marines, and to consist of the -following strength; viz.</p> - -<p>"One detachment, to be composed of 1 lieutenant, 2 -sergeants, 3 corporals, and 35 privates; making a total -of 41.</p> - -<p>"The other, of 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, -and 27 privates—31 total. Such men as wish to have -family certificates are to be provided with them by the -officers under whose command they may be placed immediately.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No time being fixed for the embarkation of the above -details, they are to be considered on the strength of the -garrison, (as also Lieutenant Maitland's party,) till further -orders.</p> - -<div class="right"> -(Signed) "JAMES INNES,<br /> -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge<br /> -of the N. D. of the Army."<br /> -</div> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Extract</span> <i>from Regimental Orders,<br /> -June 24th, 1809</i>.</p> - -<p>"Lieutenants Lawless and Carbery to indent for -ammunition and every thing requisite to complete their -respective detachments directly.</p> - -<p>"Should Lieutenant-Colonel Innes receive any additional -information from the ships, he will write to Lieutenant -Nixon instantly."</p> - -<hr class="let" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Substance</span> <i>of a Verbal Declaration made by<br /> -Major</i> <span class="smcap">Storey</span>.</p> - -<p>Major Storey declared to Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, -that he was fully satisfied, that if Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes had persisted in the plan he adopted for the coercion -of the garrison, there must have been immediate bloodshed; -and he (Major Storey) was assured, from what he -knew of the general temper of the officers of the Company's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -army at the moment, that such an occurrence, whatever -was its issue, would have produced an insurrection against -the authority of Government in many other quarters. -This belief, Major Storey declares, was the chief motive -that made him take the step he did.</p> - - -<p class="center space-above">FINIS.</p> - - -<p class="center space-above"> -J. MOYES, PRINTER,<br /> -Greville Street, Hatton Garden, London.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="transnote"> - -<h2><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes</a></h2> - -<p>The table of contents was generated and does not appear in the book.</p> - -<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> - -<p>Inconsistent hyphenation fixed.</p> - -<p>P. 138: one of the most serious crisis -> one of the most serious crises.</p> - -<p>P. 158: a gentlemen sung a sea-song -> a gentleman sung a sea-song.</p> - -<p>P. 176: after a dicussion -> after a discussion.</p> - -<p>P. 219: Lieutenants D. Forbes -> Lieutenant D. Forbes.</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Observations on the Disturbances in -the Madras Army in 1809, by John Malcolm - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MADRAS ARMY IN 1809 *** - -***** This file should be named 52739-h.htm or 52739-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/7/3/52739/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Observations on the Disturbances in the Madras Army in 1809 - -Author: John Malcolm - -Release Date: August 6, 2016 [EBook #52739] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MADRAS ARMY IN 1809 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Moti Ben-Ari and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - OBSERVATIONS - ON - THE DISTURBANCES - IN - THE MADRAS ARMY - IN 1809. - - _IN TWO PARTS._ - - BY JOHN MALCOLM, - - LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S - MADRAS ARMY, RESIDENT AT MYSORE, AND LATE - ENVOY TO THE COURT OF PERSIA. - - LONDON: - - PRINTED FOR WILLIAM MILLER, ALBEMARLE STREET; - AND JOHN MURRAY, FLEET STREET. - - 1812. - - - - - J. MOYES, PRINTER, - Greville Street - - - - -PREFACE. - - -I have hitherto abstained from controversy regarding the late unhappy -proceedings at Madras. The part which I had taken in these proceedings -had placed me in possession of much information, and I had given a -shape to my sentiments upon the subject; but the knowledge of these -was limited to a few intimate friends, and to them only under the -strictest injunctions of secrecy. I have been applied to more than -once for papers and information upon this subject, but have invariably -refused; as I deemed it improper to give publicity in any mode to -communications, whether verbal or in writing, which had been, at the -moment at which they were made, considered as private, or confidential. -Nothing could have led me to a departure from this principle but a -perusal of the dispatch under date the 10th of September, 1809, from -the Government of Fort St. George to the Secret Committee of the Court -of Directors, printed by order of the House of Commons. That dispatch -contains an implied censure upon my conduct, which nothing but a -conviction of its justice could induce me to pass over in silence. - -Injustice is aggravated by the power of the individual or body by -whom it is committed, and by the want of ability or opportunity in -the person who suffers to repel the attack. Had not this dispatch -been printed by order of the House of Commons, my character would -have secretly received a deep and incurable wound: for as it is not -likely the Honourable the Court of Directors could have ever thought it -possible that so deliberate and grave an authority as the Government -of Fort St. George, could (without adequate grounds) have pronounced -censure on the character of an officer who stood at the moment as high -in rank and trust as the local Government of India had power to raise -him[1], it becomes probable, that most of those who read this dispatch -would be satisfied, without a minute examination of the documents by -which it was accompanied: and if any readers went into this detail, -and were struck with the remarkable difference between the apparent -premises and the conclusions drawn from them, it is more likely they -would conclude, that grounds, not yet brought before them, existed, -which would warrant the assertions made by Government, than that they -should ever suppose the latter had committed such an injustice towards -any individual in their service. - -I cannot, on this occasion, limit myself to an account of my mission to -Masulipatam, which is that part of my conduct to which the Government -of Fort St. George exclusively refers: justice to my own character -demands that I should give a narrative (accompanied by an Appendix of -original documents), which will show, in a clear and concise manner, -the part I took, and the advice I gave, throughout the whole of those -unhappy and guilty proceedings which have lately afflicted our country -in India. To render this narrative intelligible to all, I shall prefix -a general view of the principal acts of the Government of Fort St. -George, from the commencement to the termination of the late violent -agitations on the coast. My object in this publication is to vindicate -myself, not to attack others. A plain statement of indisputable -facts will show, that though my judgment might on some occasions -have been wrong, I was invariably actuated by an indefatigable zeal, -and an undeviating principle of public duty; that I predicted at the -commencement, and at different stages of the proceeding, every event -of importance that occurred; that if any one of the many slighted -suggestions which I offered had met with attention, the most serious -evils would have been averted; and that my efforts were such as ought -to have entitled me to the praise and gratitude of those by whom I now -find my conduct misrepresented and my character calumniated. - -Sir George Barlow has, I observe, from the volume of papers printed -by order of the House of Commons, placed upon record a number of my -private and confidential communications. This I did not anticipate; -and these letters were written in a less guarded style, and with more -warmth, than they would have been, if I had foreseen the public use to -be made of them. I do not, however, conceive that I have any right to -complain of this act: the letters contain not one sentiment of which -I am ashamed: they were all on public subjects: and that alone, when -they were addressed to Sir George Barlow or his Secretary, rendered -them public. But I must claim to myself an equal privilege in bringing -forward such private documents as are necessary to prove what I have -stated, and to defend myself from those imputations which have been -thrown upon my character from a partial, and, I trust I shall prove, a -most unfair statement of my conduct when employed at Masulipatam. - -I should feel unworthy of that station which I hope I hold in life, -if any motive upon earth had such power over my mind as to make me -silent under reflections (which I deemed unjust) upon my conduct: -and where those have been, from any cause, (however unforeseen,) -brought before the public, my reply must of course be submitted to -the same tribunal. This is a circumstance which I by no means regret. -Publications in England on the affairs of India have been rare, -except on some extraordinary epochs, when attention has been forcibly -drawn to that quarter; and a groundless alarm has been spread of the -mischiefs which (many conceive) must arise from such free disclosure, -and consequent full discussion, of the acts of the Indian Governments. -This practice, in my opinion, will have a direct contrary effect. It -must always do great and essential good. The nature of our possessions -in India makes it necessary that almost absolute power should be given -to those entrusted with governments in that quarter; and there cannot -be a better or more efficient check over these rulers than that which -must be established by the full publicity given to their acts, and the -frequent discussion of all their principles of rule. Such a practice -will expose imprudence and weakness, however defended by the adherence -of powerful friends in England: and it will be more certain to prevent -oppression, or injustice, than the general provisions of law, which -may be evaded; or the check of superiors, who may, from conceiving -the cause of an individual identified with that of authority itself, -feel themselves condemned to support proceedings which they cannot -approve. This practice, in short, (restrained, as it always must be, -by the laws of our country within moderate bounds,) must have the most -salutary effects. Its inconveniences are obvious, but trifling when -compared to the great and permanent benefits which it must produce: and -I am confident that every effort made to repress such discussion is not -merely a sacrifice to personal feeling, and to momentary expedience, -of one of the best and most operative principles of the British -Constitution; but a direct approximation to the principles of that -oriental tyranny, which it is, or ought to be, our chief boast to have -destroyed. - - - - - PART I. - OBSERVATIONS - ON - THE CAUSES AND PROGRESS - OF THE - _DISTURBANCES IN THE MADRAS ARMY_ - - - - -OBSERVATIONS, &c. - - -Some agitation, though of a trifling nature, had prevailed among the -Company's officers on the coast establishment from a period as far back -as the publication of the Regulations of the year 1796, which they -conceived to entitle them to a complete equalization of allowances with -the officers of the Bengal establishment. These feelings had little -time for operation in the course of that active and brilliant service -in which the Madras army was employed during the administration of Lord -Wellesley. The increase of establishment rendered necessary to preserve -the great accession of territory acquired by that nobleman, occasioned -a promotion, that, for a period, silenced their discontent; but that -spirit was revived in the year 1805 and 1806, when, in addition to -their former grievance, they conceived that there was an evident and -injurious partiality shown towards his Majesty's officers, who were -said to be promoted to commands and staff situations to the injury -of the officers of the Company's service. Addresses to Government -and to the Court of Directors were at this period agitated and in -circulation; but none, to my knowledge, were brought forward; owing, -perhaps, to the orders from the Honourable the Court of Directors, -who, it would appear, had, on private representation, adopted some -measures to redress those grievances of which the army at that moment -complained. This spirit of discontent might have died of itself; or, at -all events, it would have been more easily repressed, had not the flame -of discord burst out in a higher quarter. The quarrel which occurred -between the Governor, Sir George Barlow, and the Commander-in-Chief, -General McDowall, may, no doubt, (as it led to those measures which -Government adopted towards the general staff of the coast army,) be -deemed the remote source of all the violent and indefensible acts -of the army, and in that view merits a short notice. The mind of -General McDowall was much irritated at his not being appointed to -council; and he gave way, in consequence, to a language of complaint -and discontent, of which, it must be concluded, he could never have -calculated the effect. Every act of Government that affected the wishes -or interests of either an individual or a class of officers naturally -caused complaints, which the Commander-in-Chief certainly did not -discourage. He must have thought that the influence and importance of -a seat in council would have enabled him more easily to have satisfied -or silenced their murmurs; and he cannot be supposed to have felt much -sorrow that Government should have experienced the inconvenience of an -exclusion which he considered as so great a personal grievance: and -when his mind was further irritated by what he deemed to be slight -and neglect, on the part of Sir George Barlow, of his rights in his -military character of Commander-in-Chief, these feelings had probably -a wider action. In the temper which I have shown the coast army was in -at this moment, it is not surprising, when they saw such an example -of discontent, and felt unrepressed by that high authority which was -immediately over them, that they should have been more bold, and that -their violence should have taken a more formidable shape towards -Government, against which this spirit was, by the proceeding of the -Commander-in-Chief, very unadvisedly and inconsiderately, however -unintentionally, directed. But if a want of reflection on one part (few -will accuse General McDowall of more than want of reflection) led to -such consequences, can we say there was much more wisdom on the other, -which, if it did not provoke, never made one attempt to prevent, the -occurrence of those evils with which it was threatened? A cold, even, -mechanic course of action, which gave great attention to the ordinary -rules of public business dignified with the name of public principles, -but none to human nature, was opposed at this period to the proceedings -of the Commander-in-Chief and the army; and had the effect, which was -to be expected, of accelerating that crisis which it was so important -to avoid. - -It may be here necessary to explain what was meant by the term public -principle. It was constantly used at Madras (with some deviation, I -conceive, from its highest and most dignified sense) to denote the -rules of public business founded either in precedent or in written law, -and certainly well adapted for order and convenience in the common -course of affairs. But if such rules were sufficient, no talents -would be necessary to govern mankind. A copying clerk, or even the -regulation-book which he copies, might rule a state. Success in this -endeavour (the object of which is to render the task of Government -simple and easy) will be always agreeable to the character of the -Government. The more despotic that is, the more easily may we preserve -inviolate such rules or principles. For though great commotions will -occur in the most despotic states, and force their rulers to an -occasional deviation from such principles, these deviations will be -unfrequent to what must arise in more free and liberal governments, -in which that constant attention which it is necessary to pay to -men's tempers, and to those pretensions and rights upon which such -an order of things is grounded, must produce a much more frequent -departure from the exact letter (and sometimes from the spirit) of -those unbending rules. It is this fact which renders the task of -government so much more difficult in those states than in any others. -Any man (who has obsequious slaves to govern) can, if he has memory to -recollect the principles of rule, be a despot, or a despot's deputy; -but far different qualities are required where the minds of those under -authority are of a freer and bolder stamp: over such a society those -alone are fit to rule, who, fully informed of all its component parts, -can judge the periods when the temporary departure from an established -principle will effect more in the cause of authority than its rigid -observance; when lenity is more powerful than severity, and mildness -and moderation tend more to restore order and to maintain tranquillity, -than all the force of a violent government. - -The intelligent reader will perceive, that, in contrasting free and -despotic governments, I refer exclusively to rules of administration. -Laws are, no doubt, more inflexible in free states than in others. But -even respecting laws it may be observed, that the general principle -prevails: for the legislative power in free states shows a disposition -to repeal or modify laws in reference to the interests, the opinions, -sometimes even to the prejudices, of great bodies of the people; -while the despot has no maxim, but that all must be subject to the -authority of Government. There is, no doubt, a great distinction in -every community between civil and military bodies: the laws for the -government of the latter are, of course, more arbitrary and unbending; -but, even in these bodies there is a _national character_ that will -compel attention. The same principles cannot be applied to an English -as a Russian army: and it is when such bodies are in an agitated and -convulsed state, that these characteristic distinctions are most -prominent and discernible. It is on such emergencies that a statesman -will succeed in averting a danger, which will only be increased by -every measure of the mere rote follower of public rules. Cicero[2] -has observed, that "it appears to be the dictate of sound policy, to -act in accommodation to particular conjunctures, and not obstinately -persevere in one invariable scheme, when the public circumstances, -together with the sentiments of the best and wisest members of the -community, are evidently changed. In conformity to this notion, the -most judicious reasoners on the art of government have universally -condemned an inflexible perseverance in one uniform tenor of measures. -The skill of the pilot is shown in weathering the storm at least, -though he should not gain his port." Public merit (agreeable to -the extended view of that great orator and statesman, as expressed -afterwards) consists in "having been inflexible in our intentions for -the public welfare, and not by a positive perseverance in certain -favourite modes of obtaining it." - -It will be unnecessary to trace the petty differences which took -place between the Commander-in-Chief and the Governor: the general -character and evil effect of these differences have been described. -The first act which led to serious discussions, was the former -placing the Quarter-Master-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Munro, in -arrest. The nature of this case is well known: and few, I imagine, -can doubt that Government had _a right_ to command his release: but -it will remain a question with many, how far a knowledge of the -character and actual temper of the Commander-in-Chief, the state of -the army, and other circumstances, would have warranted Government -in forbearing to use _this right_. It is nonsense to say, that it -would, by so forbearing and moderate a proceeding, have abandoned -an officer entitled to protection. This language, if it means any -thing, implies that Government did not conceive there were at that -moment thirteen officers, either in the King's or Company's service, -on the coast, upon whose honesty and honour it could rely. This is a -proposition which appears too extravagant for notice: but, even if this -point be conceded, will it be said, if Colonel Munro had suffered an -additional injustice by the sentence of a violent and partial court -martial, that the Government was, in that extreme case, deprived of -the right to protect that officer? On the contrary, would not the -necessity for the exercise of that right have been, under such an -event, much more apparent and unobjectionable. It may be asked, if any -circumstances could justify Government in so pusillanimous a conduct, -as that of forbearing to exercise an admitted right, and of allowing -a court martial to judge upon a public act which it had recognised -and approved? It is to be replied, that such conduct might, on many -occasions, be the result of prudence and of fortitude. It is weakness, -not firmness, that takes an early alarm at danger, and by showing a -want of confidence in all the subordinate aids of its power, creates, -by its suspicion, that defection which it apprehends. In the recent -case of Sir Francis Burdett, the House of Commons did not abandon its -exclusive right, but it forbore the exercise of that right, and, with a -confidence and wisdom worthy of so enlightened and august an assembly, -allowed a question, which involved its rights and authority, to be -discussed in a court of law. There can, I should conceive, be no doubt -whatever, that had Colonel Munro been tried on the charges preferred -against him, he would have been honourably acquitted; and the influence -and reputation of his accusers would have been in no slight degree -lessened: an object which, in itself, was of consequence at that period -to Government. - -It is a remarkable fact, that the officers who had signed the charges -against Colonel Munro, were, on reflection, and from learning the -sentiments of the Judge-Advocate-General, so convinced that the -charges they had made were either groundless or illegal, that they -wrote to the Commander-in-Chief to suspend the prosecution of them. -This certainly proves (if any proof was wanting) that there could -have been no doubt of the result of a court martial, grounded on the -state of general feelings, as far as that regarded the charges against -Lieutenant-Colonel Munro; for if the accusers themselves had shown -they distrusted the cause they had so rashly adopted, there could, -assuredly, be no apprehension of the judgment of thirteen officers of -rank (all of whom, if it had been thought necessary, might have been -chosen from his Majesty's service) giving a biassed or unjust sentence. -The Government of Madras, in their dispatch to the Court of Directors -upon this subject, draw a directly opposite conclusion from this fact, -which, they say, "proves in itself the inexpediency of their having -had recourse to such a proceeding;" but they state no grounds for this -conclusion. In the whole course of this affair they appear to have -been much, if not solely, guided by the opinion of their law officers: -and no man can peruse the letter of Lieutenant-Colonel Leith upon this -subject, without a just respect for the talents and extensive legal -knowledge of that public officer. But those that think great, numerous, -and obvious evils resulted from the decision of Government on the -case of Lieutenant-Colonel Munro, will not immediately perceive the -necessity of its having been governed by rules of law in its decision -on a question which clearly involved the most serious considerations -of state policy. They will think, and with justice, this was a -question not for lawyers, but statesmen; who, in the exercise of their -legitimate discretion, are in the situation in which Mr. Burke has so -well described legislators; and therefore, like them, "ought to do -what lawyers cannot, for they have no rules to bind them but the great -principles of reason and equity and the general sense of mankind; -these they are bound to obey and follow: and rather to enlarge and -enlighten law by the liberality of legislative reason, than to fetter -and bind their high capacity by the narrow constructions of subordinate -artificial justice." - -Several months previous to General McDowall's departure for England, -that officer had been called upon by the Governor to repress a -Memorial to the Governor General, on the subject of late reductions, -which was stated to be in agitation at the principal stations of the -army. General McDowall had written circular letters to forbid such -proceedings; and nothing further appeared upon this subject till that -officer, on the 23d of January 1809, forwarded and strongly recommended -to notice a Memorial to the Honourable the Court of Directors signed -by a number of the officers of the army, and containing, in moderate -and not disrespectful language, a statement of what they deemed their -grievances, which chiefly referred to the equalization of their -allowances with the Bengal establishment, the hardship of the several -reductions of emolument which they had lately sustained, and the -partiality in appointment to commands which they conceived was still -shown to his Majesty's officers. General McDowall forwarded, at the -same time, another Memorial, which was also addressed to the Court -of Directors, and signed by a number of officers commanding native -corps, regarding the injury they conceived they had sustained by the -abolition of the tent contract. The principle of both these Memorials -was strongly condemned by the Government. The former, they informed the -Commander-in-Chief, would be sent to the Governor General in Council; -and the latter was returned, as relating to a subject which had already -been decided. - -There were many circumstances connected with these addresses, which -confirm the truth of those sentiments I before expressed regarding -the feelings by which General McDowall allowed himself to be governed -at this moment: but the state of his mind, and the operation that -was likely to have upon the officers of the army, was a subject -that merited the serious consideration of Government; which, unless -satisfied that there was no danger from the progress of such a spirit -of discontent as then existed, should either have adopted _at that -moment_ some decided measures to repress that evil, or have carefully -avoided every act of aggravation. If both of these Memorials had been -merely permitted to go as numbers of the dispatch to England, those -by whom they were signed would have thought nothing more of their -grievances till an answer was received from the Directors: and that, -if contrary to their wishes, would have been deemed final, and the -Directors would assuredly not have censured Government for a slight -departure from established rules at a period when, from extraordinary -events, of a nature never likely to happen again, the army was not -only in a state of great agitation, but the civil power had lost the -aid of that high military authority on which it would in common times -have relied to subdue so dangerous a spirit. Few will contend that -there would have been any loss of either dignity or of strength in -such a proceeding: and how completely, had it been adopted, would -the turbulent and seditious be deprived of one of their chief means -of increasing irritation[3]. But this question appears to have been -decided, like every other, upon an abstract consideration of its own -merits as a single and insulated question; and in that light the -decision was _undoubtedly right_: but if it had been viewed, as it -certainly should, in its relation to the actual state of the army, -_it was as certainly wrong_. It had an evident and malignant action -throughout all the troubles that ensued. And this absolute, and, as -they deemed it, unnecessary and ungracious refusal to allow their -grievances to be even heard by the Court of Directors, combined with -the punishment[4] with which it was accompanied, rankled to the last in -the minds of the discontented, and indeed appeared to be one of the few -subjects, on the hardship and injustice of which the most moderate of -those concerned agreed with the most violent. - -The next event of consequence, was the publication of a general order, -under date the 28th January, by the Commander-in-Chief, censuring -Lieutenant-Colonel Munro for his appeal to the civil Government against -his decision; an act which General McDowall deemed destructive of -subordination, subversive of discipline, and a violation of (what he -termed) the sacred rights of the Commander-in-Chief. There can, I -should conceive, be little doubt regarding the character of this order. -It is certainly indefensible. It in substance arraigned the exercise -of an act of authority, the legality of which General McDowall had -recognised by his obedience a few days before, and in this view was -highly disrespectful to Government, who were justly incensed at the -proceedings; and who, in an order under date the 31st of January, -removed General McDowall from the command of the army, which it -appeared he had not then resigned, though on his way to Ceylon for the -purpose of proceeding to England. The links that bound the cause of -General McDowall to that of the officers of the Company's army on the -coast, were neither strong nor durable: a common feeling of discontent -against Government had united them for a moment, but there was no -cohesion either from similar objects or interests; and the Government -order, as far as related to General McDowall, could have given rise -to no serious consequences: but the suspension from the service, in -the same order, of Major Boles, the Deputy-Adjutant-General, on the -ground of his having given currency to the obnoxious order of the -Commander-in-Chief, had an immediate and electric effect over the whole -army. There was hardly an officer in either the King's or Company's -service that did not doubt the justice of this measure, or that did -not feel that it inflicted a vital wound on the first principles of -military discipline; and the universal clamour and indignation that it -excited, was no doubt the proximate and direct cause of the rebellion -that ensued. - -The merits of this unhappy act of power have been fully investigated in -England; and the general opinion seems decidedly against the Government -of Fort St. George. The wisdom and expediency of the act is defended -by none; and some of the first law authorities[5] in England doubt its -justice. The subject has been completely exhausted; and I shall say no -more upon it, than that there, perhaps, never was so complete a want -of knowledge displayed of the character of military feeling, as in the -attempt made to prevail upon Major Boles to degrade himself in his own -profession, by making an apology for having performed what he deemed -his duty, and what he could not have expressed regret for having done, -without an admission of guilt. The urgency with which this apology was -sought, is of itself a proof that the Government had been precipitate. -How much more manly, wise, and dignified, would it have been to have -rescinded the resolution which had been taken, on the plain ground -of a conviction that Major Boles had erred from want of knowledge, -and without intention of offence; and such must have been the actual -sentiments which were entertained of his conduct, or Government could -never have professed itself ready to accept a slight apology. But -a little stickling spirit about supposed dignity, more worthy of a -wrong-headed individual engaged in an affair of honour, than a great -Government, prevented this obvious measure, and produced irremediable -mischief to the state. - -On the 1st of February, the day subsequent to that on which Major Boles -was suspended, an order was issued, suspending the Adjutant-General, -Lieutenant-Colonel Capper, for the same offence, that of being -concerned in circulating the offensive order of the Commander-in-Chief. -The only difference in the facts of this case from that of Major Boles, -(they were alike in principle), was, that Colonel Capper, the moment -he heard of Major Boles's suspension, made a declaration, that the -circumstance of his being with General McDowall was the sole cause that -had led to Major Boles's name being affixed to orders which it was -his (the Adjutant-General's) duty to sign; and that he considered all -responsibility connected with the office of Adjutant-General rested -solely with him, as principal. The generous object of this gallant and -meritorious officer (who was lost on his passage to England), was to -exculpate his deputy. He did not, however, succeed in that object; and -his free avowal of the principal share he had in the circulation of -the order was instantly taken as the ground for inflicting a similar -punishment on him. - -From the hour that these measures were adopted, the state of the army -underwent a complete revolution. The most discontented had, till this -period, been cautious in their measures, and aimed at no more than -obtaining some attention to what they deemed their grievances. There -is no doubt, that before these orders were issued a very general -spirit of dissatisfaction prevailed; but there was no danger of that -taking any mutinous or rebellious shape. Many, and among these some of -the most respectable officers in the army, had up to this date taken -no concern in those proceedings that had offended Government: but the -suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles (particularly the latter, -who, it was perfectly known, had no share in the councils of the -Commander-in-Chief, and whose act of signing and issuing the obnoxious -order was therefore exclusively ministerial,) effected a complete and -dangerous change in the general temper. All seemed to be actuated -by the same resentment at measures which they deemed arbitrary and -unjust; and many officers of the highest rank and first respectability, -both in his Majesty's and the Honourable Company's service, joined in -reprobating the principle upon which it was adopted. The subsequent -efforts made to prevail upon Major Boles to sign an apology, and the -letter circulated by the commanding officer of the forces, General -Gowdie, which condemned that officer for not having acceded to this -proposition, had the double effect of increasing the indignation at -Government and the popularity of Major Boles, who was, after this -act, deemed an honourable martyr in a cause which it was the duty of -every military officer to support. Before the more moderate, and with -them all those officers of his Majesty's service who had given way to -their first feelings, had recovered from their error, numbers of the -more violent in the Company's service were irretrievably pledged to -violent and guilty proceedings, into which there is no doubt they were -deluded by the force of example, and the assurance that the cause in -which they were engaged was general. The first of their acts which -attracted the notice of Government, was the agitation and preparation -of an address to the Governor General, remonstrating against the acts -of the Government of Fort St. George, and soliciting the removal -of Sir George Barlow; and an address, or letter, to Major Boles, -conveying to that officer a contribution for his support during what -the addressers deemed his unjust suspension. The Government, in an -order dated the 1st of May, 1809, suspended Captain J. Marshall and -Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, on the ground of their being principally -concerned in preparing the Memorial[6] (or, as it is termed in this -order, "seditious paper,") addressed to the Governor General; and the -same punishment was inflicted upon Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable -Arthur St. Leger, on the ground of his having promoted the circulation -of the Memorial in the corps under his command. Major J. de Morgan -was suspended for nearly similar reasons. Captain James Grant, -commanding the body-guard of the Governor, (but then absent on service -in Travancore,) had signed the address to Major Boles; and, from a -feeling congenial with his candid and gallant character, he deemed -concealment of this act dishonourable, nor could he reconcile to his -mind the propriety of continuing to hold his appointment with the line -he had pursued. He wrote, therefore, a private letter to Major Barclay, -(Military Secretary to the Governor,) stating the reasons that had led -him to resign the command of the body-guard, and desiring that Sir -George Barlow might be informed of his motives; and he enclosed (that -the information of the Governor regarding the actual state of the -feeling of the army might be complete,) a copy of the letter to Major -Boles. He was suspended on the ground of having signed the address -to Major Boles; which document, it was stated in the order, he had -forced on the attention of the Governor in Council. Lieutenant-Colonel -Robert Bell, the commanding officer of the artillery, was removed -from all military charge and command, on the ground (as was stated -in the orders,) of his having promoted the circulation of a paper -similar in substance (to that address) among the officers under his -command. Lieutenant-Colonel Chalmers was removed from his immediate -command, on the charge of not having reported to Government, or exerted -himself to repress, the exceptionable proceedings of the officers -under his orders: and Lieutenant-Colonel Cuppage was removed, on the -same ground, from the staff situation of Adjutant-General, to which -(though he then held a station of command in Malabar,) he had been -appointed: while Captain Coombes was deprived of his staff office of -Assistant-Quarter-Master-General in Mysore, on the general grounds -of being concerned in these reprehensible proceedings. This order -concluded by a panegyric upon the discipline and fidelity which -the troops in his Majesty's service had invariably shown, and by a -compliment to all those of the Company's service who had not taken -a share in these reprehensible proceedings, but particularly the -subsidiary force at Hyderabad, the conduct of which was stated to have -been most satisfactory and exemplary. - -Though the right of suspending officers from the service till the -pleasure of the Court of Directors was known, is one that has been very -properly vested in the local Governments of India, they possess no -power which should be exercised with such extreme caution. It never can -be wisely exercised in any cases but those of most clearly established -guilt, where trial would either endanger the authority of Government, -or expose its dignity to the highest insult and degradation; which -is indeed one, and perhaps the most effectual, mode of endangering -its existence. Every officer is conscious, when he enters the public -service, that he subjects himself to military law, but not to arbitrary -power. There are, however, (as has been shown), extreme cases, which -create exceptions that interfere with his right to this jurisdiction: -but when the ruling power is compelled to act contrary to usage, it is -bound, in all such cases, to establish the necessity of its so acting, -by an exposure both of the nature of the crime and of the proof of its -having been committed[7]. The King of England may, no doubt, strike any -officer's name out of his army without assigning any reason; but his -adviser would incur serious responsibility; and an inferior authority -exercising this great power should be still more cautious, lest the -very purpose for which it was granted be perverted, by the destruction -of that general confidence in the justice of their rule, upon which the -power of departure (when the safety of the state absolutely requires -it) from ordinary forms of law is grounded. No sense of expedience, -or desire to strike terror, (by the mere display of arbitrary power,) -can warrant the slightest deviation from principles so essential to -preserve the temper and order of a military body under this alarming -though legal departure from its usual rights and privileges. - -It was a remarkable fact, relative to the orders issued on that date, -that (unless in the case of Captain Grant, who had come forward to -accuse himself[8] of the act for which he was punished) no proof -of the guilt of any of the others was brought forward. They were, -indeed, almost all suspended, removed, and disgraced, on the grounds -of private information; which, supposing it true, could not, from its -nature, and the resentment to which it would expose individuals, be -publicly stated. The consequence was, that many of the individuals -who had been thus condemned and punished without a hearing, loudly -declared their innocence, and brought strong presumptive evidence to -support their assertion. They were generally believed; and a sense of -their particular wrongs, added to the alarm caused by the sweeping use -which Government had on this occasion made of its right of suspending -officers without trial, greatly aggravated the discontented, who felt -an almost maddening motive to action in the immediate contemplation of -the ruin and disgrace which threatened some of the most honourable and -distinguished of those that had taken any share in their proceedings. - -The obvious and acknowledged source of the crimes which Government had -at this moment to punish, was its own act--the recent suspension of -Lieutenant-Colonel Capper and Major Boles; and it ought to have been -evident, that the orders of the 1st of May would aggravate, in the -highest degree, the general agitation which that measure had produced; -and almost every paragraph of this order would appear as if intended -for that object. The thanks given in it to his Majesty's troops were -no doubt merited, but invidious; and, being so, could never have been -desired by that body; many of whom, though they had been led (by the -operation of the principles of the distinct constitution of the army -to which they belonged,) to renounce every share in the proceedings of -the discontented officers in the Company's service, still participated -in their feelings: but the useless irritation of this part of the -order appears a trifling error when compared to that eulogium which -it so unfortunately bestowed on the Hyderabad force, whose officers, -however much circumstances might have prevented their coming forward, -could not possibly, as a body, have a separate interest from the rest -of that army to whom they were on this occasion held forth as a corps -on whose fidelity Government had peculiar confidence. The operation -of such praise was inevitable: the Company's officers at Hyderabad -were not only exposed to the reproach of inaction in what were deemed -objects of common interest, but to the accusation of being in part the -cause of the ruin of some of the most popular officers of the army: for -the discontented argued, that if Government had not thought it could -rely on their support, it never would have had recourse to so bold -and arbitrary a course of measures. Correct information regarding the -temper of this force would have satisfied Government that there was -no good ground for this eulogium; and the slightest reflection on the -common motives of human action would have prevented its being made. The -Company's officers at Hyderabad treated the praise bestowed upon them -with scorn, disclaimed all right to it in an address to Government, -and, abandoning that moderation which had before characterized their -proceedings, they commenced with all the zeal of converts in their new -career. In their ardour to make amends for the past, they took the lead -in violence. Their numbers and apparent unanimity inspired them with -fatal confidence: and this force, who were excited to action by a weak -and unwise attempt to divide them from the rest of the army, became the -most active promoters of sedition, and gave an example of opposition to -Government, in which their repentance came too late to prevent the ruin -of many of those who were betrayed, by a reliance on them, into the -adoption of the same unjustifiable course. - -The general spirit of indignation which the orders of the 1st of -May were calculated to excite, must have been foreseen; but it was -perhaps expected, that the terror struck by so decided and vigorous a -proceeding would repress the effects of this spirit, and alarm even -the most violent into order and obedience. If such was the intention, -the measure was certainly inadequate to the end proposed. When we -bear in mind the inflamed state of the minds of a great majority of -the officers of the coast army, was it reasonable to expect, that the -suspension from the service, and the removal from their commands, of -a few of the most popular (including some of the most moderate[9]) -officers in the service, would strike a panic in a body of men -so agitated? Was it not more likely that they would deem this a -repetition of what they had before considered injustice, and rush on -the extreme of violence? It could have no other effect; and therefore, -if it had been resolved to take no steps to conciliate or restore the -temper of the army, this was the period (before their combinations -were matured,) that a severe and wise Government would have chosen -to come to issue; and, had the danger been fully met at this moment, -those consequences which resulted from the line pursued would, in -all human probability, have been avoided: but if the object of the -Government of Fort St. George had been the ruin of its own army, no -measures could have been more calculated to effect that object than -those pursued. The character of its acts till the 1st of May has been -fully shown. It would be as tedious as useless to dwell upon the many -trifling but irritating measures to which it had recourse from that -period till the 26th of July. These measures were, if not oppressive, -all marked by a spirit of the most provoking suspicion, and never -contained one particle of that generous feeling of noble confidence, -which, by exalting the character of authority, attaches those that are -wavering, reclaims the insubordinate to their duty, and, by giving a -motive in which they have a pride, recalls the most guilty to the path -of honour and virtue. A bare catalogue of a few of the expedients to -which the Government resorted will be sufficient to show the nature of -the whole. Some officers were removed from the command of corps, and -sent to distant stations, without any reason being assigned; others -were insulted, by being ordered away from the Presidency and other -places at a few hours' warning, upon the ground of private information -regarding their conversation or actions. Leave to visit the Presidency -was refused to all officers. An institution of cadets (boys) was -dissolved, because they had a quarrel with one of their comrades in -consequence of his going to Lady Barlow's ball. A corps was removed -to a distant and unpleasant (if not unhealthy) station, because its -officers refused to dine with the Governor. But the conduct of the -officers of the European regiment at Masulipatam, in consequence of -a dispute about a toast at their mess-table, and the measures that -precipitated a mutiny in that garrison, (the particulars of which will -be stated in my narrative,) forms one of the completest examples of the -character of that system of irritation pursued by the Government of -Fort St. George, during this short but important and eventful period. -In viewing this system, we ought not to take any single case, but look -at the whole; and we shall find it, as such, fully adequate to the end -which it effected, of making a brave and meritorious though mistaken -body of men rush upon their own ruin; and of greatly weakening, if not -destroying, by its probable operation on the attachment and allegiance -of our native army, the most essential of all those principles, on the -preservation of which must depend the future safety and existence of -our empire in India. - -The mutiny which an imprudent measure of Government (the particulars -of which will be hereafter stated) brought on at Masulipatam, was -one of the first acts of open violence committed by the officers on -the coast establishment. As the Governor of Fort St. George thought -it might be quelled by means short of coercion, he directed me to -proceed to that garrison, in the hope that I should recall the -officers to their duty. But his other measures ill accorded with the -avowed principles of that conciliatory and moderate proceeding. It -had long been reported throughout the army, that Government intended -to make such a distribution of the native corps as would place them -under the complete check of his majesty's regiments. The alarm, and -indeed despair, caused by this report, were excessive and general. -The numerous officers of the Company's army who had become engaged in -guilty combinations, thought their destruction was certain, and that -union and resistance offered the only hope of safety. It might not -have been the intention of Government to make such an impression; but -is it not clear to the most common understanding which reflects on -what had passed, and the actual state of feeling in the army, that -this impression must have been produced[10]? Was it not evident that -the mutiny at Masulipatam had been caused by the mere rumour of this -intention on the part of Government? And could it be expected by the -most weak, or infatuated, that the actual execution of this plan would -not produce the same effect in a situation such as Hyderabad, where the -spirit of disaffection was more violent, and the power of resistance -as great, if not greater. It is hardly possible to make any other -conclusion, but that those who advised this measure foresaw the result, -and thought that such an act of open disobedience would give the colour -of unavoidable necessity to the extreme measures[11] which they then -contemplated. It produced its natural effect--the order for the march -of the 2d battalion of the 10th regiment from Hyderabad to Goa was -disobeyed, and the Company's officers at that station forced down a -precipice of guilt, at which, in spite of their violent language, they -shuddered. This act of open disobedience, accompanied by a violent and -seditious paper styled their _Ultimatum_[12], which they transmitted to -the Governor, constituted the immediate grounds upon which Government -adopted the extreme measure of the 26th of July, of calling upon all -the European officers of the native corps to sign a test of their -fidelity, and, on their refusal, of separating the officers from their -men. - -Though a violent agitation certainly existed at this time throughout -almost all ranks of the officers of the Company's army, this agitation -had a variety of shades, which it is of importance to consider. Many -officers in the Company's service had no share whatever in those -proceedings which had met with the disapprobation of Government: but -these, though they severely condemned the conduct of the disaffected, -and regretted their errors, could not but be alive to the character -and reputation of the army to which they belonged; they were, of -course, anxious for measures that would retrieve the service from that -disgrace and ruin with which it was threatened: and it was the natural -wish of this class (who were stronger in influence than numbers,) -that Government should endeavour to reclaim the discontented to their -duty by some act that mixed as much consideration and indulgence for -the errors into which they had fallen, with a vigorous exertion of -its authority as it was possible to mix, without a sacrifice of its -strength and dignity. - -The next, and a very principal if not a numerous class, were officers -of some rank and influence, who had gradually, and without reflection, -involved themselves in proceedings, the scope and extent of which they -had never contemplated till they had gone too far to retract. They had -persuaded themselves that Government would yield to the representations -of the army; and the hope of success, added to the fear of being -accused of defection, had hitherto kept them firm to the general cause: -but these men, at the period of which I speak, contemplated their -situation with affliction and horror; they saw themselves borne away -in a tide that they could not resist: they conceived, from a false -but imperious sense of honour, which, from a singular but powerful -principle of human nature, was felt to be the more binding because at -variance with duty, that they were pledged to support the rest; or, -more properly speaking, not to abandon them. They were sensible too -late of having lost their authority and control over the younger and -more violent part of the service, and regretted their proceedings; but -at the same time saw, under the rigid course pursued by Government, no -safety but in union. This class of men would have rushed to any door -that had been opened to their retreat; they would have made a stand on -any ground that the clemency or generosity of Government had afforded -them; and would not only have reclaimed themselves, but the rest; for -they were, generally speaking, of that rank and character who had the -chief influence with the troops; and, if extremes had been resorted to, -with them on the side of Government, the others must have submitted, as -their efforts at resistance would have been quite hopeless. The last -and most numerous, though certainly the least powerful party among -the officers of the coast army, were those who, unfortunately for its -reputation, had the chief management of all the criminal proceedings. -This party, which consisted of a few wrong-headed and violent old -officers, and almost all the junior part of the service, completely -took the lead in their correspondence and deliberative committees; -in both of which a very violent and indecent tone of proceeding -was adopted; and the authority of commanding officers of corps was -apparently suspended by the principle of equality introduced in their -proceedings. But this loss of power was more apparent than real; for, -though the commanding officers may have had little more influence in -the committee than the youngest officers, their military authority -(generally speaking) remained, and that must have given them, whenever -they had the courage to exert it, a very commanding influence over the -whole: and this circumstance establishes what has been before stated, -that the most numerous, clamorous, and violent, were in fact the least -powerful party in the army, though they have assumed a style in the -written documents, as if they were the undisputed and uncontrolled -leaders of the whole of the Company's army. - -The objects of the different classes of officers were, of course, as -various as their feelings. The first could have no wish, but such a -settlement as should vindicate the dignity of Government, and, as far -as possible, spare the character and reputation of the service. They -were too well aware of the nature of those causes that had led the -discontented astray, not to hope that every effort might be made to -reclaim the misguided; but they were prepared, if such efforts failed, -to have acted with a forward and animated zeal in support of lawful -authority, and to have contributed their efforts to reduce men who -had shown themselves unworthy of kindness and indulgence. The next -class that has been described required more aid from the consideration -of Government, before they could disentangle themselves from those -unfortunate pledges into which they had entered. They felt that, after -having proceeded so far, they would have been disgraced if they had, -by their retreat, left their associates to be punished. These officers -thought they could not abandon the cause before it was at least -ascertained none should suffer for what had passed; but they had become -fully sensible of the deep guilt in which they were involved: and -though many of this class had entered into a pledge to have obtained -what was termed a redress of grievances (inclusive of a complete -repeal of the orders of the 1st of May), they were not disposed to -persevere to the extent of disobedience in the pursuit of this object: -and had Government, in addition to an act of amnesty, held out the -slightest prospect that the officers of the army would, by an immediate -return to good order and duty, acquire a claim upon the clemency and -consideration of the Court of Directors, which might operate favourably -to those officers who were suspended, and who were the object of their -painful solicitude, this class would have used their utmost efforts to -reclaim the more turbulent, and, in the event of those efforts failing, -have employed all their influence and authority with the troops, to -have prevented any injury to the state, from the violence or insanity -of the rest. - -It is difficult to say what were the objects of the last class among -the officers of the coast army. This, it has been stated, were the -most numerous and most violent, but the least powerful; though -it was probably judged otherwise by Government, from this party -having throughout conducted the proceedings of the committees, and -correspondence, and having always exaggerated its means, and assumed, -from a desire to intimidate, a tone as if it spoke the sentiments of -all the officers of the army. - -One of the earliest motives to action with this class, was a personal -hatred of Sir George Barlow[13], and of some officers on the general -staff who were supposed to be his chief advisers. This feeling had -latterly absorbed every other. From indulging it, they persuaded -themselves that they were compelled to the indefensible extremes they -had adopted, and thus found an alleviation of that misery in which -a sense of guilt had involved them. It would be difficult to state -the objects which men acting under the dominion of such passions -had in view. They, in fact, did not well know themselves what they -desired: but there were, I believe, very few among this class even, -so completely unreasonable, as to approve of that paper called -_the Ultimatum_, which the officers of the Hyderabad force had the -presumption to send to Government. - -Such was the diversified temper of the numerous officers of the -Company's army on the coast when the test was proposed for universal -subscription. In describing that measure, it is perhaps more essential -to attend to the mode in which it was carried into execution, than its -substance. The Government of Fort St. George had, in consequence of -the information which I gave them from Masulipatam[14], assembled a -field force near Madras. The majority of this camp was formed of his -Majesty's troops: but the senior officers of the Company's troops, -who composed a part of this corps, were men of whose violence, in -whatever situation they were placed, Government could entertain no -apprehension[15]; and every thing might have been expected, under the -slightest management, from their good sense and moderation. Sir George -Barlow, it is true, sent for some of these officers, and appeared to -treat them with confidence in some discussions he had with them on the -state of the army: but one fact will suffice to show the character of -this confidence, and the general impressions which his conduct on this -occasion was likely to make. Lieutenant-Colonel Rumley (who commanded -the native cavalry at the Mount, and was one of those respectable -officers who were honoured with his confidence,) received, during this -period, an extraordinary communication from Major Russel, of an attempt -to excite the native officers of the cavalry against their European -commanders. It appears of importance to insert this written report, as -drawn up by the Major himself. It is as follows: - -"On the afternoon of the 23d ultimo[16], Secunder Khan Subahdar -came to me, on my return from Madras to camp, and said he had been -very anxious to see me for several hours, as something of a very -extraordinary nature had occurred. That walking in the vicinity of the -lines he had been accosted by a brahmin, who asked him if he was not -the senior officer of cavalry, and said he had business of the greatest -importance to communicate to him. He then proceeded to disclose to him, -that he had been sent by Colonel Munro to inform the native troops that -their officers had sent in a petition to Sir George Barlow to be put on -Bengal allowances, which Sir George had informed them the resources of -this country would not admit; and, in consequence of this refusal, they -had resolved to mutiny: that in case the officers should propose to -engage them in seizing the person of Sir George, it was their duty to -say he was their Governor, and that they would not act in such a cause. -The only way, _he further said, in which the demand of the officers -could be complied with, was by taking away a proportion of the pay of -the native officers and men_. That if Secunder Khan would undertake -to persuade all the men and officers to act in this manner, he should -receive a handsome jagheer: and he was further informed, that Colonel -Munro had dispatched emissaries or letters to communicate the same to -all the native corps in the army. That he had no occasion to apprehend -injury from any one, as he might observe Sir George had suspended every -person who acted in opposition to his wishes[17]." - -Colonel Rumley was naturally indignant at a proceeding which he -was convinced (from the whole behaviour of Sir George Barlow) could -not have his sanction, and which he deemed, at the moment, to be an -impolitic and dangerous expedient of a person who, enjoying a large -share of his confidence, might have acted on this occasion without his -knowledge. With these impressions, he hastened to give full information -of the circumstance to Sir George Barlow; but his report was received -without either emotion or surprise; and he was forced to conclude, from -no notice being taken of it, that the measure of which he complained -had been adopted by authority. The circumstance became public after -Colonel Rumley returned to camp, and the minds of most of the officers -were greatly inflamed at this glaring instance of what they deemed -unmanly duplicity. - -A short account of the mode in which the test was proposed to the -officers at Fort St. George and the camp near the Mount, will convey, -better than any general detail, the character of the measure. The -following is a copy of that remarkable document:-- - -"We, the undersigned officers of the Honourable Company's service, -do in the most solemn manner declare, upon our word and honour[18] -as British officers, that we will obey the orders and support the -authority of the Honourable the Governor in Council of Fort St. George, -agreeable to the tenor of the commission which we hold from that -Government." - -This test was sent to the commanding officer of the forces assembled -at Fort St. George and the Mount, and it was accompanied by a circular -letter to the commanding officers of divisions, which was read to the -officers of the Company's service before their signature was required. - -The substance of this letter was an order to assemble the Company's -officers at each station, to propose the test to them, and instantly -to remove from their corps all such as declined to sign it. They were -directed to be sent to such stations as the commanding officer chose, -and that they should there receive their allowances until the situation -of affairs and the temper of their minds should admit of their being -employed with advantage to the state. - -This was, it must be recollected, the first public appeal that had -been made to the officers of the Company's service by the Government -of Madras since the orders of the 1st of May; and it certainly was not -of a character calculated to flatter the feelings of those to whom it -was addressed. It spoke to their sense of duty, and pride as officers; -but in the same breath told them they were not trusted, and that they -were to be coerced into order and submission. The high praises that -were given in this letter to the fidelity and loyalty of his Majesty's -troops were perfectly just; but quite unnecessary, as far as regarded -the allegiance and obedience of that part of the service; and could -therefore serve no purpose but to exasperate the feelings of the -officers of the Company's army. But the mode in which this measure was -carried into execution was the most characteristic of the Government by -whom it was adopted, and of itself was sufficient to account for its -complete failure, and indeed to make it very doubtful if it ever was -wished or intended that it should succeed. - -No previous effort whatever was made to dispose the minds of the -senior and more reflecting part of the Company's officers in favour -of this measure, though such a step (which could have been adopted -in many ways without the slightest hazard) seemed essential to its -success. A short and peremptory summons was sent to every Company's -officer of the garrison of Fort St. George, to attend at the quarters -of Colonel Conran, the commanding officer. That officer read the -circular letter to which I have alluded to the astonished officers -whom he had assembled; and then, presenting the test, informed them -they must either sign immediately, or go to Pulicat, the place fixed -for their banishment. Can any man the least acquainted with the human -mind be surprised, that an almost general and indignant rejection was -the result of such a proceeding? Five regimental officers only could -be prevailed upon to sign it at this meeting; and the remainder were -immediately sent to Pulicat[19]. At the Mount the rejection was still -more general. Colonel Hare had the day before removed his tents across -the bridge of Marmalon, where all the officers were summoned at an -equally short notice. When Colonel Hare read the circular letter, -presented the test for signature, and told them that those who refused -their signature would not be allowed to return to camp, they refused -with one general sentiment of indignation at the manner in which they -had been treated, and were immediately separated from their corps[20]. - -The test was signed by all the staff-officers at the Presidency, and -by some officers who were there on leave: at Trichinopoly twenty-two -signed it, but few others at any other station of the army. In short, -the whole number of signatures did not amount to one hundred out of -about one thousand two hundred, which is near the number of officers on -the coast establishment in India. - -The almost total failure of this expedient (if it ever was intended to -reclaim or fix any officers in the Company's service to their duty,) -will not surprise any man the least acquainted with human nature, -and with the temper of those to whom the measure was proposed. Those -officers, who had never departed from their duty in thought, word, or -deed, felt this test, which was a mere repetition of the obligation -of their commission, as at least an act of supererogation; and it was -painful, as it had a taint of suspicion in it. Others, who were in -some degree pledged to support their brother officers, conceived that -this was an indirect mode of obtaining their individual pledges to act -against them; and concluded, from its being proposed, that every hope -of an amnesty was at an end[21]; whilst the more violent only saw in it -the pursuit of plans which banished every expectation from their minds -of obtaining personal security, much less the object they had in view, -through any means but successful resistance. - -The most moderate among these officers argued, that no opportunity -whatever had been given to the Company's army of retrieving itself; -and, guilty as it might have been, they said the memory of its former -fame merited some consideration; and an appeal to its loyalty and -duty, combined with an act of amnesty, would, they thought, if it had -been made to the officers of the Company's army with that confidence -which inspires attachment, have secured the fidelity of a great part -of them: and if it had been possible for Government to have gone -further, and to have promised, "that in the event of the conduct of -the army meriting such favour, they would recommend the case of the -officers who had been suspended to the indulgent consideration of -the Court of Directors[22]," they were confident all would have been -reclaimed to their duty. But had efforts so worthy, in their opinion, -of the clemency and greatness of Government failed in bringing all -to reason, they would have acted with the most ardent zeal against -men whom they should in such event not only have considered as rebels -to their country, but as destroyers of the reputation of the army to -which they belonged. There can be no doubt these were the sentiments -of many respectable officers of rank and influence: and had Government -adopted, on the 26th of July, any such measures of conciliation, it -would have been completely successful; and not only the hazard of a -contest, but all those disastrous consequences which were certain to -be the inevitable consequence of complete success, would have been -avoided. And can there be a doubt in the mind of any rational being but -it might have taken such a line, at the very moment that which has been -described was adopted, without any substantial sacrifice of either its -strength or dignity, and certainly with the greatest benefit to the -interests of the British nation in India? - -The measure that was taken was supposed, by almost all the -discontented, to be a completion of that design which the Government -of Fort St. George had from the first (they conceived) entertained, -of relying solely on the King's troops; and they concluded, from -the substance as well as the mode in which the step taken on the -26th of July was carried into execution, that the Company's military -establishment on the coast was meant to be destroyed at the first blow; -and all were therefore included in one general mass, as fit objects of -suspicion and disgrace. - -Government had, no doubt, a right to expect success in the execution -of this measure; it had a just reliance on the fidelity and attachment -of his Majesty's troops. A few regiments, who composed part of the -British army, could not have joined in such a confederacy without -incurring certain and indelible disgrace: and it had been the policy -of the Government of Fort St. George, from the first appearance of -dissatisfaction and discontent, to court the allegiance and flatter -the feelings of this branch of the service. And though no man can -calculate the temper that was lost, or the consequent evils that have -been produced by this proceeding, the limited object was undoubtedly -attained. - -Sir George Barlow appears to have had great confidence in the -attachment of the native troops to Government; which, I believe, he -always thought was paramount to their attachment to their European -officers: and this was consequently calculated upon as one great means -of carrying his measures into prompt and successful execution: but -certainly the fulfilment of this hope depended upon the course pursued -by the European officers who commanded these men. There could be no -ground to make such a conclusion upon any general principles applicable -to military bodies, and much less so from the constitution, character, -or history of the native branch of the military establishment in -India. The difficulty that a body of officers have in any service, -is to keep soldiers to their duty: there is little in debauching -them from it. They are led by example: and to follow that of their -officers, is both a principle and a habit. The native troops of India -are perhaps more attached to their European officers than any others. -These officers are to them the only representatives they know of the -Government they serve; they are the sole link in the chain of their -attachment; and, with rare exceptions, their men are completely -devoted to them. The Governor might, perhaps, expect, that though this -feeling would operate in the first instance, it would soon give way -to a fear of losing all those solid benefits that the service of the -Company offers; and that the sepoys would never continue to attach -their fortunes to so desperate a cause as that of the officers must -soon appear. This is a natural conduct for a sensible and reflecting -man: but do soldiers think, or reflect deeply? Would not the increased -pay which their officers (if they were serious in rebellion) would be -likely to give, or, what is still more attractive to men like them, -a latitude to plunder, have more effect than twenty proclamations -to recall them to their duty. Besides, had this dreadful contest -continued, the passions would have had their way, and a few months -might have changed the character of our native soldiery, and rendered -them more formidable than all the enemies we ever had to encounter in -India. - -It will at least appear, from what has been said on the subject, that -Government had no right to look to the fidelity and attachment of the -native troops, as a certain means of coercing their European officers -to obedience. But the fact was, that the sure ground of success, and -that on which the Government had more right to calculate (when it -resorted to extremes,) than all others put together, was the action of -the virtuous feelings and loyal principles of the Company's officers -themselves, and the total want of object, accord and combination, in -the execution of the indigested plans of the most violent. It was -well known that many of those officers had never brought their minds -to contemplate disobedience to the state: and the most guilty even, at -first proceeded on the idea that such an extreme would never occur. -They certainly had hoped that Government would yield, to avoid it: and -when they latterly found that result was not likely, they shuddered -at the crisis which they had precipitated. They had no object in view -that could justify to their own minds the extremes in which they were -involved; they found themselves on the point of being placed in the -situation of rebels, with minds altogether unsuited to act that part -which can alone give a hope of success to the cause of rebellion. They -could not (violent as they were against the Governor of Madras and some -others) bring their minds to believe they were enemies to a revered -King and beloved country; and they consequently wished to reconcile the -incompatible principles of opposition to the local Government, with a -spirit of fidelity to their employers, and loyalty to their sovereign. -There could be no doubt of their sincerity in these feelings: and, -from the clashing of such opposite principles of action, Government -had a right to expect irresolution, division, and distraction in their -councils and measures. It was certain that many would not join in any -act of disobedience, and that those who ventured on opposition would -proceed with alarm; and every moment of reflection would make them -view with increased horror the guilt in which they were involved, and -produce a wavering and hesitation that must soon have the effect of -losing them the confidence of their followers and of each other. - -Under such circumstances, there could be little doubt of the ultimate -success of Government in the measures adopted for subduing the -refractory European officers of the army. We shall now examine the -dangers by which these measures were likely to be attended. These were -numerous, and all of an alarming political magnitude[23]. The greatest, -was the shock which was given by this proceeding to that attachment -between the European officer and the natives under his command, which, -from the first establishment of the Company in India to the present -moment, had been looked upon as one of the principal, if not the -chief, sources of our strength in India. This body of officers has -been hitherto justly considered as the great means by which British -India was conquered, and by whose fidelity, knowledge and courage, it -was to be maintained. They were comparatively a few persons, through -whom a large foreign army was not only disciplined, but attached to -the present state. Their station was one of more than ordinary trust, -their duties very sacred, and they had for a long period of years -been distinguished by the manner in which these had been performed. A -part of them had been seduced, and misled into error, and ultimately -hurried away, by their passion and resentment against individuals in -authority, to the most criminal extremes. They certainly had merited, -in the strictness of military law, the most serious punishment; -and it was, no doubt, as far as the principles of that law were -concerned, most desirable, for the sake of example, that punishment -should be inflicted, particularly as those officers had in this -instance endeavoured to pervert that complete obedience which their -men owed them, into an engine of faction and revolt; and to render -the attachment of those under their command, which had been so long -considered the safety of their country, its future bane and danger. -That any body of officers should have, or conceive they had, the power -of furthering their own views or interests by means so desperate, and -so entirely subversive of the foundations of all order and government, -was, no doubt, an evil of great magnitude: but it should have been -recollected, that the connexion between the native soldiers and their -European officers is the cherished plant of a hundred years: and -before we can account those men wise who laid the axe to its trunk, -it must be proved that the existing spirit of insubordination among -the European officers was attended with dangers as imminent and -as incapable of remedy, as the evil that has been embraced by the -deliberate dissolution of this great bond of our strength and safety. -Some persons, who refer to a former occasion[24] on which the Indian -army are supposed in some degree to have overawed the Government into -a redress of their grievances, and viewing only one side of this great -question, may argue, that it was rather desirable to adopt a measure -that would prevent the European officers from having such reliance on -the support of their men, and teach the latter that they have a duty -paramount even to their obedience to their officers, in that which -they owe the state: but it is a great fallacy to conceive that such a -feeling can ever exist as an operative principle in the minds of such a -class of men; and if it did, it must weaken a devotion and attachment -that are quite essential to the preservation of our power in India[25]. - -The next positive evil that was certain to attend this course of -measure, was the destruction of that harmony which it had been the -labour of years to introduce and maintain between his Majesty's and the -Company's service, and which had so greatly contributed to our military -successes in India. It could hardly be expected that these would (for -some years at least) serve together again with those sentiments towards -each other which before inspired them: and nothing can be so dangerous -to our interests in India, as feelings of irritation and jealousy -being kindled betwixt the two services. Those who have cast away -this harmony, which has so long been deemed one of the chief sources -of our permanent strength, would perhaps see more security to the -Government of India in an irreconcileable division between the King's -and Company's troops. But there is no danger of an error, in predicting -that the date of our rule over India will be short, if our Government -in that quarter can only be supported by such weak and wretched -expedients as that of keeping up a principle of division among its own -officers. - -The last positive and immediate evil which could not but attend this -measure, was that effect which it was calculated to produce among the -natives of all ranks and classes. Our strength in India has hitherto -greatly rested upon the supposed impossibility of any civil commotion -among ourselves: and the dissolution of this charm will give rise to a -thousand doubts regarding the stability of our power; and, in all human -probability, excite ambitious projects to assail it. This effect is of -a magnitude that in itself required every exertion should be made to -avoid an extreme that could not but make so general and dangerous an -impression regarding the character of our power in India. It must show -our enemies in that quarter that we are not exempt (as it has long been -believed we were) from those internal divisions and civil wars which -have accelerated the fate of the other conquerors of the East[26]. - -There is one more consideration connected with this question. The -comparative safety which appeared in the gradual removal of those -radical causes which created a spirit of discontent, over a system of -harsh coercion under the most unfavourable circumstances that could -be supposed, whether we consider the situation of Government or the -army. It is not necessary in this place to detail all those causes. -One of them, which excited great discontent (though certainly not -rebellion), was undoubtedly that system of reduction which at this time -threatened to leave the Company's officers in India without a motive -of action. They saw (at the period of its progress) no prospect of any -alteration in their condition that would, by elevating the service and -facilitating their return to their native country, make amends for -what they lost; and their minds gave way to greater despair, from an -impression that those who _they believed_ were founding their fortune -and reputation on the reduction of their allowances, took no interest -in obtaining any advantages to counterbalance what was taken from them. -This grievance, unallayed by a hope of redress, had an effect upon the -general temper of the army that merited the greatest attention. - -But the fact is, the Government of Fort St. George never appear to have -taken any view of this subject, that comprehended those considerations -which have been stated. They seem to have decided every question, as it -arose, upon its own narrow ground, and to have always been fettered in -the forms of their own proceedings[27]. The order for the imposition of -the test which was prescribed to the Company's officers, was positive, -and vested no discretion. In stations where the superiority of his -Majesty's troops was decided, this character of the order could do no -mischief: but few of those acquainted with the circumstances can doubt, -that to the wisdom and forbearance of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable -Patrick Stuart, of his Majesty's 19th regiment, who took upon himself -to suspend the execution of this positive order, and to give time for -the action of reason upon minds under the sole dominion of passion, may -be attributed not only the safety of that corps, but the tranquillity -of Travancore. A similar conduct was observed by Lieutenant-Colonel -Forbes, of his Majesty's 80th regiment, who commanded in Malabar; and -by Colonel Gibbs, of the 59th regiment, at Bangalore: and the evidence -of these respectable officers must be conclusive with regard to the -actual temper of the Company's officers under their command, on the -day they received the orders of the 26th July, and prove to the most -incredulous, how easily men under the influence of such feelings as -they describe, might have been reclaimed by means far short of that -baneful measure which was adopted. - -The force at Hyderabad continued but a short period in a state of -resistance; and they committed no act of violence. The impression -which Colonel Close's effort (though unsuccessful at the moment) had -made upon both the minds of European officers and natives, the effect -produced by the perusal of an order issued by Lord Minto on the 20th -of July, and the knowledge that his lordship was hourly expected at -Madras, deprived rebellion of its chief motive--personal hatred to -Sir George Barlow. And these circumstances, aided by the unremitted -conciliatory efforts of the commanding officer, Colonel Montresor, -and the Resident, Captain Sydenham, made a complete change in the -sentiments of this corps, who upon the 12th of August signed the -test: and as their example encouraged many corps of the army, but -particularly those that formed the garrison of Seringapatam, in a -rebellious resistance to Government, their defection from the cause -put an end to this horrid and unnatural contest: and Lord Minto, who -arrived a few days after this event, found a complete and unreserved -submission to his authority. Had he arrived a month earlier, he would -have saved an army from disgrace and ruin: and as it was, it is not -easy to calculate the good which his presence effected: but it is not -unreasonable to conclude, that the report even of his approach went -farther to terminate the partial rebellion that had occurred, than all -the violence of the Madras Government. - -The whole of these proceedings ought to be held in constant remembrance -by all parties in future times. "As they have existed for our shame, -they ought to exist for our instruction[28]." - -To the officers of the Indian army they are awfully instructive. They -will not consider a few remarks on the nature of that instruction as -unbecoming in one who has served with them for near twenty-eight years; -who came among them in childhood; whose fortune and character have been -acquired with them; whose affection and pride are, and always must be, -deeply interested in their reputation. - -If they dispassionately consider these events, they will clearly -perceive the danger of the first approaches towards a military -combination, intended only to solicit a Government, but necessarily -tending to influence, to overawe, and to coerce it. The purity of -intention affords no security against this progress. Men who deliberate -and confederate with arms in their hands soon become impatient of the -slow course of redress by regular means. Indignant at refusals, or even -delays, which they deem unjust, they become familiar with the dangerous -idea of seeking more summary justice. They assemble, their passions are -kindled by communication of grievances, they are emboldened by a sense -of collective strength, and proceed from solicitations to threats, -disguised (from the great majority of those that use them) in the form -of predictions apparently flowing from an anxious desire to avert the -evils foretold. - -Such addresses bring upon them censure and harsh imputation, which -they resent the more because they are not yet distinctly conscious -of intentions which merit them. Their language becomes still more -indecorous and violent; and some of their most conspicuous leaders are -punished. They have then unhappily placed themselves in a situation -where they are pushed forward on the road of guilt by the most virtuous -impulses of the human heart--fidelity towards each other, honourable -attachment to the distinguished members of their body become sufferers -in their cause, and indignation against what they (under the influence -of self-delusion) regard as insupportable tyranny, impel them onward -with irresistible force. Youth, with all its generous feelings, its -inexperience and its impetuosity, assumes the lead in their councils. -The prudent and the moderate are either banished as traitors, or -compelled to be instruments of the more inconsiderate and daring. They -find that they have forfeited all expectation of a tolerable pardon. -They see no hopes of safety but in victory; and they are hurried on by -fear and despair, as well as anger and resentment, to rebellion. - -Thus terminates in guilt the progress of men who began with innocence -and honour; and of whom each, if the termination had been foretold even -when he was far advanced in impropriety, might with sincerity have -exclaimed, "_Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?_" - -Any event of such a rebellion would be most unfortunate to those -engaged in it, but success would be the greater misfortune, and indeed -the most severe punishment with which the justice of Providence could -visit their guilt. - -Success would every where be a dreadful calamity to a body of -British officers betrayed into military rebellion against the -civil authorities of their country. Their success would be the -destruction of every source and guard of their own security, and of -every thing of which the defence peculiarly ennobles and endears the -profession of arms to a British soldier. In India, however, this -misfortune of success would have very bitter aggravations. As soon -as British officers had oppressed the lawful authority, they would -quickly discover what, in the tumult of dissension, their passions -had concealed from them, that they had, though unknowingly, raised -their arms against their country, which must espouse the cause of her -delegated authorities[29]. They would thus be proscribed and exiled by -a country, the hope of revisiting which is the basis of every plan and -expectation of their lives. - -Apprehending mutiny among their soldiers, revolt among their subjects, -irruption from their Asiatic neighbours, or conquest by some European -state, no longer guarded by their own country, but the objects of her -just hostility, they would find themselves alone and unprotected in -the world. In this friendless situation they could be supported by no -generous enthusiasm, the child of patriotism and honour, which could -awaken no feeling in their bosom but shame and remorse. Their numbers -could only be kept up by adventurers, the refuse of the military -profession in Europe. The civil wars, inevitable in such a state of -things, would be not so much the consummation of their evils, as a -refuge from such intolerable calamities. - -Happily for the British officers in India, (I speak not paradoxically, -but considerately,) no such calamity is probable. They are sure of -being haunted by so many "compunctious visitings of nature," from -the thoughts of their friends, of their Sovereign, of their beloved -country, as to impair that criminal energy necessary for the success of -desperate enterprizes. Theirs is not a country, or a state of manners, -or a system of religion and morality, which trains men to revolutionary -sternness and ferocity. Their failure was, and ever will be, certain. -But such convulsions bring dreadful consequences:--the loss of that -collective character which was the source of pride to each individual, -long regret and remorse, their hearts taught to dread generous and -social feeling; and the most distinguished of them, if not condemned to -death, still more unhappily abandoned to a dishonourable life. - -In their native land they will meet little or none of that sympathy -which supports the sufferers for a general cause. Their discontent -appears to spring only from the most ignoble sources. Those who -have not visited India will not easily conceive that a pecuniary -retrenchment is chiefly felt (_which it really is_) as a degradation, -by an army already sufficiently excluded from the higher rewards of -valour: first shut out from military honours, and then from that -compensation for them which they had found in the prospect of returning -home to the exercise of generous virtue. Last, and worst of all, they -find that their more glaring and dangerous guilt has almost effaced the -remembrance of that misconduct which produced it, and given popularity -and character to those they deem their enemies. - -To the British Governments of India these deplorable occurrences are -not less fertile in instruction. They will learn, that to preserve -the obedience of a military body, exiled almost for life in a distant -dependency, to civil bodies who are the temporary delegates of a -Commercial Company, is one of the most difficult problems of policy: -that such obedience is not always to be preserved by a rigid adherence -to official rules, nor restored by undistinguishing obstinacy clothed -in the garb of firmness. They will be taught by high authority, "_how -much ought to be done to avert a contest in which concession does not -find its place_[30]." - -They will feel, that the difficulty of their policy respecting the army -will always be increased at moments when the necessities of the state -require extensive retrenchments. A wise Government will prepare the way -for such retrenchments, by evidently showing that they are necessary, -and that they are equitably imposed on all classes: they will not -disdain more particularly to satisfy those distinguished members of an -army, whose influence over their brethren is a principle of natural -discipline. They will redouble their vigilance to distribute military -honours and rewards with the strictest equity; and they will be -solicitous to display the appearance as well as the reality of kindness -towards the individuals of a body who are about to suffer. - -When the passions of the moment have subsided, no man will believe -that a Governor, confessedly unpopular[31], introducing or maintaining -systems of retrenchment, necessary indeed, but most severe, and without -preparation, without public precaution or private conciliation, did -not, by these circumstances, most materially contribute to the unhappy -crisis which followed. The total omission of all those means which make -reformation popular, or even tolerable, will assuredly be regarded as -a great political offence. It will be considered as ridiculous to call -for particular proof that a cold and unfeeling manner tended to make -privations be felt as insults. No man of common sense will doubt that -a popular Governor may reconcile men to retrenchments, which, under a -Governor of an opposite character, may produce the most fatal effects. -A recent example might be found at no great distance from Madras, (if -any examples of what is so obvious were necessary,) of a Governor[32] -who had imposed greater retrenchments than Sir George Barlow, and who, -without any sacrifice of dignity, left his government, universally -beloved. But it will not be doubted that the Government of Madras -thus contributed their share towards maturing the discontents of the -army previous to the orders of General McDowall. Still less can it be -doubted, that by the suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles the -spark was struck out which fell on the combustible materials. - -In the circumstances of the case, and after the restoration of the -surviving officer by his superiors, it is very mild language to call -this suspension an act of very doubtful justice. And it is most -certain, that an act of authority so harsh, and of such doubtful -justice, against officers who had such a fair appearance of mere -military obedience, and whose very fault, if they had one, must have -sprung from a zeal for military privileges, was of a nature to vibrate -through every nerve of an army. When the Government once did an act -which made two officers of rank at least appear to suffer unjustly for -the army, they entirely changed the character of the disputes. They -drove the generosity, honour, and justice of the army into rebellion. -They supplied the discontented with the colour of right, without which -no leaders are ever able to seduce multitudes to resistance. They -exalted pecuniary grievances into the feelings of generous sympathy and -wounded honour. They made it be thought disgraceful to abstain from -taking a part in a combination to prevent injustice. The moderate, the -disinterested, the loyal, even the timid and circumspect, were forced -into opposition,--by shame, by fear, by sympathy, by that tumultuous -combination of causes, generous and mean, which recruit the ranks of -insurgents, and change the murmurs of a few into the mutinous clamour -of the many. Whatever the evil intentions of a few may be, it is -always an act of real or supposed injustice which throws the multitude -into the hands of the ill-affected leaders. Before the suspension there -existed only discontents; after it, general disaffection, conspiracy, -and sedition. - -The necessity of vesting the power of dismissing or suspending officers -in the Government will never be questioned by thinking men: but when it -is considered, that the operation of the general orders of the 1st of -May was, considering the rank and number of the suspended officers, not -a much less exertion of authority than if his Majesty were to strike a -tenth part of his general officers out of the list of the army, it will -not be wondered that this example of the precarious and degraded tenure -by which military rank was held, should have diffused universal dismay, -and reinforced resentment by despair. - -The dispassionate observer, after remarking with wonder that every -expedient was omitted or rejected which could detach the misguided -from the ill-affected, or open a creditable retreat for the penitent, -will pause before the sword was drawn, to consider whether general -submission would then have been too dearly purchased by an amnesty -which should not have excluded from hope even the officers suspended on -the 1st of May. - -It will be acknowledged, that the example of a sedition proceeding so -far without punishment, is an evil: but it was to be balanced against -other evils;--against the calamities of civil war; against the mischief -of rendering one part of our military force in India the enemies of -the other; against the evils of a victory which must be gained over -the spirit of the army, and consequently over the strength of the -Government. - -It will be considered, whether a measure, _not of concession_, but _of -conciliation_[33], offered a prospect of greater evils than a plan of -division, such as Machiavelian politicians have sometimes employed -against the public enemy;--but which was now to be, for the first time, -employed against the only safeguard of the state;--a plan to make the -King's troops look down on the Company's with the proud contempt of -conquerors, and the Company's army feel towards the King's all the -mortified pride and secret indignation natural to the vanquished; a -plan for suppressing a rebellion of European officers by clandestinely -instigating a mutiny of native soldiers against them; a plan for -securing the Government by dividing and dispiriting the army, and for -founding general tranquillity upon a monstrous balance of officers -against soldiers, and of one army against another. - -It will be ascribed to the unbending temper of Sir George Barlow, that -he did not perceive the probability of amnesty being at length granted, -after open resistance, by the humanity of the British Administration in -India and England, almost as general as that of which, before the sword -was drawn, he treated the proposal as every thing but a crime. - -Future Governments will not be insensible to the dreadful dangers which -have been incurred, even if the character of British officers should -prevent the threatened evils from being realized; and they will see, -that though the policy of Great Britain has supported the cause of -authority, yet her equitable benevolence has virtually disavowed these -measures, by interposing to repair their harsher consequences. - - - - -POSTSCRIPT. - - -After I had written these observations on the late disturbances at -Madras, I perused a very able and ingenious article in the ninth -number of the Quarterly Review, upon that subject. The first part of -that article explains the progress of the violent proceedings of the -Company's officers engaged in those disturbances, and enters into very -full discussions to prove and establish the fact of their guilt. In -almost all this part my sentiments differ little from those of the -reviewer. I do not, however, agree with the opinions he has stated on -the case of Lieutenant-Colonel Munro. He conceives, that if Government -had allowed that officer to have been tried by a court martial, it -would have been a base desertion, and a sacrifice of a public servant. -I trust I have shown, that although Government had a _full legal right_ -to act as they did, a contrary conduct might have been adopted without -any such desertion or sacrifice, and with every prospect of advantage -to the public interests. - -The reviewer dwells throughout the article upon the crude and violent -Memorial to Lord Minto, and assumes, with great advantage to his -argument, that it may be taken as a fair specimen of the sentiments of -all the discontented officers at Madras. He is probably ignorant of -the comparatively small number of those officers who approved of this -intemperate production. He cannot, I think, be aware, that many of -those whom he has blended in his general censure, merely because they -were blended in the undistinguishing proscription of the Government of -Fort St. George, never saw that document till it was published. - -I have, in my observations on the disturbances at Madras, said little -on the question of the suspension of Colonel Capper and Major Boles; -but I conceive all that the reviewer has said upon that subject will be -deemed by those who consider it attentively, as more ingenious than -solid. The whole of that discussion would appear to resolve itself into -a very short question. The act of disobedience to his superior, in a -military officer or soldier, can alone be justified in a case where the -civil law would punish his obedience. A great deal must of course be -decided by the circumstances of the moment. "To your tents, O Israel!" -would, in the present state of Great Britain, be an unobjectionable -text. It certainly was not so in the reign of Charles the First. But -we have only to suppose Major Boles on his trial before a civil court, -for publishing, or aiding in the publication, of a seditious libel. -Among the circumstances to be considered in such a case, that prompt -and undeliberate obedience which it is the habit of an officer to give -to the orders of his superiors, would assuredly be one of the most -prominent; and an English jury would, I imagine, be slow in condemning -an officer situated as Major Boles was. They would probably think, -that the great and vital principle of prompt obedience, on which -the existence of that armed force which guarded the civil community -depended, was of too important and sacred a nature to have its plain -meaning frittered away by casuists and lawyers. These reflections -would certainly lead plain men to decide, that we ought not to refine -too much upon such delicate points, and that no military order should -be disobeyed, the illegality of which was not of so obvious a nature -as to be clear to the most common understanding. But, after all, the -justice or injustice of this act of authority is but a small part of a -very large question. The wisdom and policy of the measure, (which is -the point on which the character of the Government of Fort St. George -is chiefly concerned,) appear, however, to be given up even by those -who are the warm advocates of many other parts of that system which was -pursued. - -The writer of the review traces what he deems an exact similarity of -character between Sir George Barlow's measures and those adopted by -Lord Clive, in 1766, to quell a sedition among the officers of the -Bengal army; and infers, from a general and sweeping conclusion, that -the reputation of these two Governors must stand or fall by the same -arguments. To those who are satisfied with the superficial and general -facts,--that both Lord Clive and Sir George Barlow exercised power in -India, that there were discontents and combinations among a part of -the European officers of the native troops during their respective -administrations, which terminated, on both occasions, in submission to -authority,--the observations made in the Quarterly Review on this part -of the subject will be satisfactory, and conclusive: but to such as -examine the particulars of these two important events, and trace to its -true cause the defection of the officers of the Bengal army in 1766, -and then observe the open, military, and manly conduct of Lord Clive, -there will appear much more grounds for a contrast than a comparison. -The conduct of the officers of the Bengal army, their limited number, -and the actual constitution of the native army[34] at that period of -our dominion in India, make a still wider difference in all those -considerations, that render the late measures of the Government of -Madras, as they affect the personal attachment and fidelity of the -sepoys to their European officers, dangerous to our future security. -But supposing the difference in this respect did not exist, Lord -Clive, when actually engaged in war, might have been compelled, by the -conduct of officers, which the situation of affairs rendered doubly -disgraceful, to adopt a measure that was most deeply injurious to -those principles upon which our empire is founded. We have escaped -this danger; but is that any reason for incurring a similar hazard? -It has never been stated that the danger from weakening the respect -and attachment of the sepoy for his officer was inevitable, and must -be destructive to our power within a specific period. Its alarming -tendency has been shown: and it is this which must be disproved, and -the _absolute necessity_ of having had resort to it established, before -the course pursued in this instance by the Government of Fort St. -George can be efficiently defended. - -The reviewer appears resolved to deny every fact that can even palliate -the guilt of the officers of the Madras army. He terms their desire to -submit to Lord Minto a difference in point of form, "a saving to their -pride, not to their consciences;" and he is amused with the assertion, -that the love of their country had a decided operation in defeating -their guilty proceedings. The man who reasons thus coolly upon such -events, has probably never witnessed a scene at all resembling that -of which he treats; or he would have discovered, that when passion -seizes that ground which reason has abandoned, men act more under -the influence of feelings than forms; and with minds deluded, but -not debased, they make a vain attempt to reconcile the most opposite -principles of conduct, and fall, _self-subdued_, by those virtues which -are implanted too deeply in their hearts to be eradicated by the sudden -action, however violent, of a guilty but transient impulse. - -The able writer in the review conceives that he has at once discovered -the chief cause of the late disturbances, and the best apology for -the Company's officers concerned in them, in the constitution of the -Company's service, and the habits of those that belong to it. The -atmosphere they imbibe is calculated, in his opinion, to relax all just -ideas of subordination; and they are, he infers, predisposed, from -such causes, to an opposition to the authority placed over them. Some -disposition to resistance may no doubt be found in every community, -civil as well as military, that ever existed; and to the existence of -this universal and natural feeling every excellence of human government -may be traced. But let us suppose that this disposition had, from -local circumstances and other causes, attained such a degree among the -Company's officers in India, as to threaten the public tranquillity; -what does this prove? It is, _if true to the extent stated in the -review_, not an excuse for those who produced that crisis which has -been described; but an eulogium, and a very high one, upon the wisdom -and vigour of those rulers of our Indian possessions, who have not -only repressed this disposition to opposition, but have rendered -those to whom it is ascribed the instruments of the advancement of -the interests and glory of their country: and a reflecting man would -probably find much more to admire, than condemn, even in that case[35] -which is triumphantly brought forward to prove this assertion. When -events led a wise and moderate Governor-General[36], and an able and -politic Indian minister[37], to prefer a course which certainly made -many and important sacrifices of ordinary maxims of rule, but which led -to a quiet and just settlement of all complaints; to the pursuit of a -severe, inflexible system, which (anxious only for its own character) -defends a principle at the hazard of a state: most persons, when they -contemplated the great end, would at least pardon the means by which -it was obtained, and perhaps see more of wisdom and generosity, than -of "short-sightedness and absurdity," in the measures of those who -exercised their powers with such temper, forbearance, and indulgence, -upon that memorable occasion. Those who endeavour to heap obloquy upon -their names, in order to exalt a contrary course of proceeding, will -find no support to their arguments from the conduct of the officers -of the Bengal army subsequent to that occurrence: that has been -exactly the reverse of what it ought to have been, agreeable to the -conclusions of the writer of the review; and the great progress made in -the discipline of that army, their strict adherence to every principle -of order and subordination, (particularly on the occasion of the late -agitations at Madras,) affords a most convincing proof of the wide -difference between a spirit of discontent carried even to the extreme -of opposition to authority, among a body of officers, (who, however -lost to reason and duty for the moment, must soon return, instructed -by their deviation, to that order on which their condition depends,) -and a mutiny of common soldiers. Men solely educated in civil life are -too apt to confound this great distinction: and to that ignorance of -the different shades of military feeling which varies from the proud -but rational submission of a cultivated mind, to the mere habit of -mechanical obedience in one of a more vulgar mould, a great part of the -evils which occurred at Madras may be ascribed. - -It has always been discovered, on a near view of human affairs, that -smaller causes than the self-importance of man is willing to believe, -produce the greatest changes in society. The difference between a -general view of a subject, and a minute observation of all its parts, -is immense: and to this difference, more than to any other cause, I am -disposed to ascribe the opposite opinions I entertain, on many points -of this large question, from the able writer of the review. He has, -with a full sense of the advantage, dwelt upon those general principles -that regulated the conduct of Sir George Barlow; and has enlarged, -with great force and effect, upon their importance to good order and -government. While he maintains this ground he is unassailable; and he -seldom quits it: but if truth be the object of our search, we must go -deeper. There perhaps never was an administration which exhibited, -during the period of which we treat, so extraordinary a mixture of good -principles, and a bad application of them; of an inflexible regard to -form, and a total neglect of feeling, as that of the Governor of Fort -St. George. It is from this reason, that every man of impartiality, who -peruses a general statement of the late transactions at Madras, will -give Sir George Barlow the highest praise: but if he looks further, and -examines with a minute attention, not only his measures, but the season -and mode of their execution; his admiration will infallibly diminish. -He will be compelled (though perhaps reluctantly,) to abandon some -abstract ideas regarding the beauty of general principles, which he -may have long and fondly cherished, and to confess the force of that -observation which experience taught Mr. Burke to make, upon all such -general questions--"I have lost," said that great orator and statesman, -"all confidence in your swaggering majors, having always found that the -truth lurked in the little minor of _circumstances_." - -In the conclusion of the article of the review the writer animadverts -on the description given by Mr. Petrie of the cold and repulsive -manners of Sir George Barlow; and in observing upon this "deficiency -in the charm of demeanour," though he admits it must subtract from -the influence of a statesman, he makes an allusive comparison (on the -ground of common defects) between his character and that of some -of the greatest names in history[38], who, notwithstanding their -defective manners, have, by the force of their superior genius, been -able to command the support of mankind: and, to give more effect to -this allusion, the reviewer quotes a public dispatch from Lord Minto, -in which that nobleman ascribes the great unpopularity of Sir George -Barlow to "a pure and inflexible discharge of ungrateful, but sacred -and indispensable duties." Self-defence has alone compelled me to -discuss the acts of Sir George Barlow. On his character my opinion -was long ago formed. It will be seen, that at the commencement of -these disturbances I confidentially stated that opinion[39]. I then -represented him as a man of excellent talent, of unsullied integrity, -of indefatigable industry, and distinguished by long and meritorious -services to the Company. I still retain that opinion; and no injustice -of which he may be guilty towards me, shall ever prevent me from -expressing it. I then foresaw that the defects of his character would, -in his situation, probably produce very pernicious consequences. My -opinion has been confirmed by the event. Experience seems to me to -have most fully proved, that the very qualities which eminently fit -a man for subordinate situations, may unfit him for the supreme; and -that the rules which are necessary to the good order of many of the -inferior departments, may, in their undistinguishing application, prove -destructive in the general administration of a great state. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] I was, at the moment this letter was written, at Madras, preparing -to proceed on a mission to Persia: not a word even of dissatisfaction -at my conduct was expressed--no explanation of any of my acts required; -and, consequently, no opportunity afforded of defending myself against -the serious charges that were thus secretly transmitted to England. The -letter to the Secret Committee is dated the 10th September, 1809, the -day before that on which Lord Minto arrived at Madras. - -[2] Cicero's Letters to his Friends, Vol. I. p. 194. Octavo. London, -1753. - -[3] As if an unqualified refusal to forward these Memorials was not -adequate to produce this dangerous effect, the names of all the -officers who had signed the first Memorial were placed on a proscribed -list, and deemed ineligible to any promotion in commands or staff -situations. One fact will show the impression that this act made upon -the most moderate. I wrote to Colonel Aldwell Taylor, an officer of -high rank and respectability, expressing my earnest desire to see him -placed in a command in which I thought his principles and character -would be useful to Government. In his answer, which is dated the 29th -of July, he details the causes of his being in a situation of actual -retirement. When he had applied for a command to which his services -gave him a right to aspire, he observes, that he was informed of the -crime by which he had not only forfeited all hope of that particular -station, but also (he adds), "that for having affixed my signature to a -respectful address to my superiors and employers, I was placed at the -head of a list of names comprising nearly two thirds of the army, and -thereby marked by the extreme displeasure of Government, and thence -deprived of every future hope of situations of honour and emolument. -Whilst smarting under these most serious injuries, I felt it impossible -to resume the command of Masulipatam, and made application to retire." -This case is more marked than others of the same kind, because there -can be little, if any doubt, the violent mutiny that took place at -Masulipatam would never have occurred, if Colonel Taylor had remained -in command of that garrison. The nature of this unavowed punishment -(for though there is, I imagine, no doubt such a resolution was passed -by Government, it was never published in any order,) is very peculiar; -but it is very characteristic of the system of measures pursued. It was -teasing and aggravating in its operation, without efficiency in its end. - -[4] Vide the preceding note. - -[5] Vide Mr. Pigott's Opinion, printed with the Memorial of Major Boles. - -[6] This crude and violent address was never transmitted to the -Governor General. The crime laid to the charge of the officers here -mentioned, was being implicated in framing it and in promoting its -circulation. - -[7] There may be some rare exceptions to this rule, which apply to -secret confederacies against a state, where the object is to _deprive -an individual of power, more than to punish as an example_. This -consideration could, on the 1st of May, have hardly applied even as a -fair pretext to any one individual of the many that were punished. - -[8] In this officer's case there was no impropriety or disrespect in -the letter, that could have aggravated the offence; and the motive -which made him state what he had done, was assuredly honourable. - -[9] It is, of course, meant the most moderate among those who were at -all discontented. - -[10] I heard this plan mentioned by an officer high on the staff, -the day before I sailed for Masulipatam, and protested against its -principle, as directly contrary to that on which I had been desired -to act, and indeed to every effort of conciliation. The Governor, to -whom I immediately stated this fact, appeared to me to accord in my -opinion; but, a few days after my departure, he was induced to adopt -this measure, and to provoke disobedience to authority. - -[11] The following are the sentiments of Colonel Close upon this -subject, as expressed in his letter to Major Barclay under date the -24th of July, 1809, and published in the correspondence laid before the -House of Commons: - -"It is generally admitted as a sound maxim, not to hazard the giving -of an order unless there be a fair ground of presumption that it will -be obeyed. From the apparent circumstances of the time, the orders -sent to Masulipatam were perhaps fairly hazarded; but, after those -orders had been disobeyed, to send orders to Hyderabad for the march -of a battalion, might have been regarded as a measure in some degree -exceptionable. The officers, who have opposed the orders sent for -the purpose, are now more forcibly tied together than before. The -extreme of their proceedings is increased, and their danger and fear -seriously heightened. Their impulse to act is become more violent; and -accordingly the loss to the public cause must be in proportion to all -these augmentations. But this is not all. If the measure of moving the -battalion was meant to be useful, in having an experimental effect, -Hyderabad was assuredly the very place at which the experiment should -not have been made; confusion could not be so hurtful any where else." - -Those who know the delicacy of this superior man will judge, from this -extract, what must have been the strength of his feelings upon the -subject. - -[12] The trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, and the removal from the -general staff of some officers obnoxious to the malecontents, were -among the demands in this paper. - -[13] Lord Minto has, in his letter to the secret committee, noticed -this feeling, as forming a strong and operative principle of action in -the minds of these infatuated men. - -[14] Vide Appendix. - -[15] The names of the principal of these officers, Colonel Clarke, -Colonel Rumley, Colonel Floyer, Major Russel, and Captain Noble, will -be received by all parties as full evidence of the truth of this -assertion. - -[16] July, 1809. - -[17] Emissaries of a similar character were at and before this period -sent to all the native corps. - -[18] Government could not have supposed men very deep in guilt, upon -whose solemn assurance that they would fulfil the obligation of their -commissions such reliance was to be placed. It was evident, that had -they cherished any serious designs against their country, or any of its -constituted authorities, they would not have hazarded the failure of -their schemes by stickling at the little additional guilt that would -have attended the breach of any test so forced upon their acceptance; -they would have signed, and watched the opportunity of accomplishing -their plans. But of this there was no apprehension: they were -acknowledged, at the moment this pledge was presented, to be men of -honour, and alive to all the obligations that word implies. And can it -be argued that men, with such feelings, were not to be fixed in their -duty, or reclaimed to it, by other means than such as _almost imposed -opposition as a point of honour_, as by it only they could avoid the -reproach of having been trepanned, alarmed, and coerced into a promise -to perform that duty which they owed to the state they served. - -[19] Captain Moodie, the commanding officer, and almost all the -officers of the first battalion of the 6th regiment, were among this -number, though that corps had, up to this date, been remarkable for -never having joined in any one of the guilty or objectionable measures -of the army. It was a sense of their past conduct that made such -treatment more insufferable. - -[20] The senior Company's officer at this meeting was Colonel Clarke, -commanding the artillery, who was known to be exempt even from -suspicion of any share whatever in the violent proceedings of a part -of the army, and had been recently selected on that ground to command -at the Mount. Was it not natural that a sense of his own conduct -should have led this honourable officer to reject with indignation a -proposition made in a mode so insulting to his feelings as a man and an -officer. - -[21] To many of this class it must have been an agreeable release from -the rigid obligations of their commission. It offered a temporary -retirement from their duty to the state; and, in doing so, changed in -some degree the _character of that duty_. By signing the test they -became volunteers against men whose guilt they had to a certain extent -shared, and had no longer, to support their minds in so trying a -situation, that plea of indispensable necessity which their commission -imposed. - -[22] This was the substance of the order that I recommended to be -issued at this period, the principle of which has been so arraigned by -the Government of Fort St. George. A copy of this order is inserted in -the Appendix. - -[23] I might fill a volume if I were to enter into any general -reasoning on the vital wound given to military subordination by this -measure. The relation of the private soldier to the subaltern has been -well termed the key-stone of the arch: an army may survive any other -change; but to disturb that relation, is to dissolve the whole: here -begins the obedience of the many to the few. In civil society, this -problem appears of difficult solution: but there, it is the obedience -of the dispersed and disarmed many; it is rare, and in well regulated -communities almost unfelt. In military bodies it is the hourly -obedience, even to death, of the armed and embodied many. The higher -links which bind subalterns to their superiors, and these to one chief, -are only the obedience of the few to the fewer, and these fewer to one. -These relations are easily intelligible. Honour, and obvious interest, -are sufficient to account for these: and any injury they sustain -can be repaired. But the obedience of the whole body of soldiers to -their immediate officers, is that which forms an army, and cannot be -disturbed without the utmost danger of total destruction. It was upon -this act of the French Assembly that Burke observed, "They have begun -by a most terrible operation; they have touched the central point, -about which particles that compose armies are at repose; they have -destroyed the principle of obedience in the great essential critical -link between the officer and the soldier, just where the chain of -military subordination commences, and on which the whole of that system -depends." Sir George Barlow, it has been forcibly remarked, could -discover no other mode of suppressing a _rebellion_ of officers than by -exciting a _mutiny_ of _soldiers_. - -[24] 1794 and 1795. - -[25] There can be no doubt of the truth of the observation which a -great and well-informed statesman formerly made upon this question. -"The European character in India" (Lord Melville observes in one of -his letters to the Court of Directors) "cannot be raised too high. If -the natives should be accustomed to look upon persons in the British -service with indifference and contempt, they will rapidly annihilate -our Empire there, and with it the very few Europeans by whom that -country is held in subjection." If this is true of Europeans in -general, and our Indian subjects, with what particular force must it -apply to the relations between the sepoy and his European commander? - -[26] The most violent even among the officers were so alarmed at the -evil this impression must produce to their country, that they carefully -avoided, till the last extremity, any mention of it to the natives -under their command: not, I am satisfied, from any fear of failing in -their efforts to debauch them from their duty, but from a deep sense -of the danger of such a communication: and those who believe that the -defeat of this confederacy through the means adopted will for ever -prevent the occurrence of a similar evil, should recollect, that it is -just as likely to have an opposite effect, and to render that evil, if -brought on by similar causes, far more dangerous. The European officers -may, in their next quarrel with their local Government, be taught -by this failure to league with the native officers, and to hold out -advantages to them that will secure their most zealous co-operation; -and such a conspiracy would lose India. It is dangerous even to hold an -opinion that this Empire can be preserved by any means but the action -of a wise, temperate, and just Government, which, though firm and -powerful, must rule its British subjects with the greatest attention to -those habits and principles which are, from the form and character of -the constitution under which they are born, inherent in their nature, -and which can never be disregarded or offended without a danger of -sedition or convulsion. - -[27] As a proof of this, the following fact will suffice. At the -period the test was promulgated, a direct correspondence, in the -native language, was opened by the chief civil and military officers -of Government with the native officers. This was equally maintained -with those corps, the European officers of whom remained firm in their -duty, as others; and a respectable Company's officer, who had signed -the test, and was commanding a corps at Madras, (on his senior subahdar -bringing him letters of this description, which he had received,) made -a representation of the circumstance; but was reprimanded for doing so, -and told it was a general rule, from which it was not deemed proper to -make any deviation. If it had been desirable to make any communications -in the native languages to the men, such could assuredly have been -forwarded to the European officer in command, and the principles of -military discipline observed; but an observance of the general rule was -the point to which _importance was attached_, even in a case where the -operation was _admitted_ to be baneful, and consequently where the more -_limited_ that was, the better for the public interests. - -[28] Burke. - -[29] These are not sentiments formed on a contemplation of the result -of the disturbances. I presented a similar picture of their situation -to the deluded officers at Masulipatam, and circulated a letter -containing all the substance of these reflections to the army previous -to the occurrence of any deliberate opposition to Government. Vide -Appendix: Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod. - -[30] Lord Minto. - -[31] Vide Lord Minto's dispatch. - -[32] General Maitland, late Governor of Ceylon. - -[33] These words have been, in the course of the discussion regarding -the disturbances at Madras, as they were during their existence, -greatly distorted from their simple and plain meaning. _Concession_, -I conceive, is to grant the original and substantial objects of -the demands made by the mutinous army. To have restored the tent -contract, to have promised an effort to obtain an equalization of their -allowances with the officers of Bengal, would have been concessions: -but if the exercise of a generous clemency, in pardoning those who had -offended in a moment of general insanity, and to have held out hope to -others of even deeper guilt, be deemed _concessions_ which a Government -_cannot make_, there can be no such thing as conciliation _in act_: and -as to the profession of kindness and consideration, when the conduct -observed by the ruling power is inflexible and severe in its measures, -it can have no effect but that of aggravating men's feelings into -greater crime. - -[34] The whole power was in the commanding officers of the sepoy -battalion, and the native officers had much greater influence than the -European subalterns of the corps: _the latter were not even attached to -companies_. It has been the labour of near twenty years to supersede -the effects of this system, which was deemed bad, and to transfer the -influence formerly enjoyed by the native officers to the European: and -the eagerness with which the native officers grasped at a prospect of -reviving their power, though it might have had a favourable operation -for Government under that desperate expedient to which they had resort, -must have given rise to dangerous feelings, and produced jealousy -and distrust in that important link between the European and native -officers, where complete confidence and cordiality is most essential to -our safety. - -[35] Disturbances in Bengal in 1794 and 1795. - -[36] Lord Teignmouth. - -[37] Lord Melville. - -[38] William the Third, and Demosthenes. - -[39] See the letters to Lord Wellesley and Sir A. Wellesley, p. 64, 65. - - - - - PART II. - A - NARRATIVE - OF THE - CONDUCT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL MALCOLM - DURING THE - _DISTURBANCES IN THE MADRAS ARMY_. - - - - -A NARRATIVE, &c. - - -When the first violent agitation appeared in the coast army I was -at Bombay, in charge of a force destined for service in the Gulf of -Persia. A part of this force was composed of Madras troops; and it -became my peculiar care to prevent, as far as could be effected by the -influence of reason and discipline, any contagion from spreading among -those under my command. That I succeeded in this object is chiefly to -be ascribed to the excellent character of the officers of this force, -and to the distance at which they were from the scene of agitation. -From what I heard before I left Bombay, on the 1st of May 1809, of -the transactions on the coast, and the perfect knowledge I had of the -character of the Governor of Fort St. George, I early apprehended the -most unhappy result; and on the 18th of April 1809, I wrote to Lord -Minto in the following terms:-- - -"We hear every day the most exaggerated reports from Madras; but -matters are, I fear, in a very bad state. It is said a Memorial has -been sent to your Lordship for the removal of Sir George Barlow. I -can hardly credit this, though stated on very respectable authority. -I know that there is a personal irritation against him, which exceeds -all bounds; and this, however unjust and indefensible, will make it -almost impossible for him to adjust matters by any means short of -coercion: and I trust in God such will not be found necessary; for even -success would not prevent the ruinous effects with which any measure -of violence would be attended. I cannot but think the great majority -are yet to be reclaimed to their duty; and I should think one principal -means of effecting this, would be your Lordship's presence at Madras: -and assuredly there never was an occasion on which the active exertion -of all the great powers lodged in your Lordship's hands was more -necessary to the welfare of the state." - -The impressions upon my mind at this moment will be still more forcibly -shown by the following extract from a letter to the Marquis Wellesley, -of the same date as that to Lord Minto, and upon the same subject:-- - -"Both Lord Minto and the Commander-in-Chief of India should come to -Madras; or, at all events, Lord Minto. Whatever justice may be on -the part of Sir George Barlow, it will be ten times more difficult -for him to settle the question than any other; for the degree of -personal dislike which all ranks and classes have of him, is not to be -described. This may be, and I dare say is, very indefensible: but it -exists, and cannot be changed; and the safety of the state should not -be thrown into hazard, if that hazard can be avoided by the adoption -of any measures that do not compromise its dignity, or permanently -weaken its authority. I am quite satisfied of the purity and rectitude -of Sir George Barlow's character. The public never had a more zealous -or more laborious servant; he is devoted to his duty, and has no -enjoyment beyond that of performing it; but his system is cold and -inflexible, and proceeds in its course without the slightest attention -to the feelings of those on whom it is to operate; and the present -distracted state of affairs at Madras is, I fear, a _comment_, and _a -melancholy one_, upon the result of _such systems_. All the reforms -which Sir George Barlow thought it his duty to make, might have been -made without giving rise to any serious discontent, if he had proceeded -with that caution and that attention to the temper of the men which -the situation in which he found the army required. They were in a state -of great irritation when he arrived; and he was, from his reputation -as a _reformer_ and a _retrencher_, received with prejudices. The -authority which should have controlled the army, acted a contrary part, -and consequently made their ebullitions more to be dreaded. All these -were subjects worthy of consideration; and relaxation from a severe -system, till an insubordinate spirit was somewhat subdued, and the -ruling authority fortified, would have not merely been warranted, but -have been wise. At all events, the means of suppressing a disposition -to violence should have been correctly calculated, before it was -provoked to action. This, I fear, has not been the case; and it is -most difficult to discover any means by which such a general spirit -of discontent, as that which now exists, can be repressed. As it is -unmixed with any thing like disaffection to the country, it will -probably, if met with a firm and dignified spirit of conciliation, -correct itself; and then every plan should be adopted that can prevent -the recurrence of so dangerous an evil." - -The following is the concluding paragraph of a long letter, dated the -16th of April 1809, which I wrote to Lord Wellington, on the same -subject. - -"I am yet very imperfectly informed of what has occurred. I shall -soon know all. I proceed in a few days to Madras. _Had I been there -at an earlier stage of this affair, I might have done good; but -that expectation is over_: matters are too far gone; and there is -too great irritation on the minds of all parties, to give hopes of -reconciliation. You know Sir George Barlow: he is a highly respectable -public servant. His principles of action are all right and correct; -but his measures are often ill-timed, and consequently unfortunate. -He generally leaves altogether out of the question, that which would -engage the chief attention of an abler ruler,--_men's minds_: and -though his cold system appears excellent in an abstract and general -view, it often proves mischievous in its operation. He has another -great fault, which looks so like an excellence at first glance, as to -deceive most: he is perfectly inflexible with regard to every thing -that he deems a principle or rule. Now this is good on most occasions, -but on some it is the height of folly; for, in the endeavor to do a -little good, are we justified in hazarding a world of mischief?" - -Such were my sentiments, and such the view I took of the situation of -affairs on the coast, before I left Bombay, from which I sailed on the -1st of May, and arrived at Madras on the 17th of that month. I was -received by Sir George Barlow with even more than his usual kindness. -He seemed to expect my personal efforts would aid greatly in allaying -any little agitation that remained; for, at this moment, he was -decidedly of opinion that the orders of the 1st of May had completely -settled every thing that was serious, and that what appeared to -remain, was merely the reaction of that seditious spirit which he had -subdued. After a very few days' residence at Madras I became satisfied -of the extent and danger of this error, and I laboured incessantly to -convince Sir George Barlow that he was mistaken, and that a new, more -extensive, and violent confederacy, than that which he had conquered, -was in progress; the object of which was to obtain the repeal of the -orders of the 1st of May. His unwillingness to believe this fact may -be conceived, when I state, that he would not admit the conduct of the -subsidiary force at Hyderabad, who, in a public address, disclaimed the -compliment he had paid their fidelity, to be evidence of its truth. - -I was not discouraged by that strong disinclination which I observed -in Sir George Barlow to credit every information I gave him upon this -subject, but continued to press upon him the urgency of the case, and -to entreat him to adopt measures calculated to remedy so desperate and -general an evil, before it had attained that maturity to which it was -fast approaching. The great and generous object was, I said, to save, -not to destroy, a body of brave and meritorious, though infatuated -men, who were rushing upon their own ruin. They had (I not once, but a -hundred times repeated to Sir George Barlow,) a more serious quarrel -than that with Government, they had quarrelled with themselves; and, -unless he could adopt some measure that would restore them to their -own good opinion, every attempt to establish order and subordination -would be vain, as they were goaded on to further guilt by a torturing -sense of that into which they had already plunged. On being, at one -of these conferences, desired by Sir George Barlow to suggest what I -thought would promote this end, I proposed (if the expedient had his -approbation,) to draw up an address to him from the Company's officers -on direct opposite principles to those seditious papers that I knew -were then in circulation; and to give, by this measure, a shape to -that feeling which still existed in the army, but which was scattered, -and, from having no union, was repressed by the combined action of the -discontented and turbulent. This address was as follows: - -"We, the undersigned officers of the Madras establishment, trust that -the very extraordinary and unprecedented situation in which we are -placed by some recent occurrences, will plead our excuse for an address -which has no object but that of vindicating ourselves, as a body, -from those serious imputations to which we conceive it possible we -may become liable, from the nature of late proceedings in the army to -which we belong; and to assert our devoted allegiance to our King, our -unalterable attachment to our Country, and our consequent respect and -submission to the laws and acts of that local Government under which we -are placed, and whose commands it is our duty, under all circumstances, -to obey, as those of a legitimate branch of the constitution of our -country. - -"It would be painful to retrace all those events which have led to -the present unhappy state of feeling in the army, and have compelled -Government to those measures which it has judged proper to adopt: we -shall therefore content ourselves with expressing our conviction, -that, however far they might have been carried by the warmth of the -moment, none of our brother officers who were concerned in those -proceedings which have been deemed so reprehensible by Government, ever -harboured an idea in their minds that was irreconcileable to their -allegiance as subjects, or their duty as soldiers. Government must be -fully acquainted with the rise and progress of all the proceedings -to which we allude, and can refer to its true cause any apparent -excess, either in expression or act, that may have marked the conduct -of any individuals: and it will, we are assured, separate actions -which have their motive in generous and honourable though mistaken -feeling, from any deliberate design of showing a spirit of contumely -and insubordination to that authority which it is their duty to obey, -and whose orders they could never dispute, without a total sacrifice -of their characters as good soldiers and loyal subjects: and we feel -perfectly satisfied there is not one officer in this army who would -not sooner lose his life than forfeit his claim to such cherished -distinctions. - -"We cannot have a doubt but it must have been with extreme reluctance -that Government has adopted the measures it has done, against those -of our brother officers who have more particularly incurred its -displeasure, from the forward share they took, or were supposed to -take, in the proceedings which have met with its disapprobation: and -though we never can presume to question in any shape the acts of -that Government which it is our duty to obey, it is impossible for -us to contemplate the present situation of those officers without -sentiments of the deepest concern: and when we reflect on the general -high reputation, and the well-merited distinction, which some of them -have, by their valour and ability, obtained in the public service, we -should be unjust to the characters of our superiors both in India and -England, if we did not entertain a hope that their case would meet with -a favourable and indulgent consideration. But we feel restrained from -dwelling upon this subject, as we are aware its very mention might be -deemed improper in an address, the great and sole object of which is -to correct misapprehension, and to convey a solemn assurance of our -continued and unalterable adherence to the same principles of loyalty -and attachment to our King and Country, and of respect and obedience to -the Government we serve, that have ever distinguished the army to which -we belong." - -The object of this address was to reconcile men to themselves; and -it therefore ceded as much as was possible in its expression to the -predominant feelings of the moment; but its principle was not to -be mistaken: and the unqualified and decided declaration which it -contained, of attachment and of implicit obedience to Government, -must have had the certain effect of separating all those by whom this -address was subscribed, from persons who cherished contrary sentiments. -But the great object of this measure was to concentrate and embody -the good feelings of the army; to hoist a standard to which men could -repair, whose minds revolted at the proceedings then in progress, -but who were deterred by shame, fear of reproach, and want of union, -from expressing an open difference of opinion from the more violent. -I was assured at the moment that I suggested this measure, of its -partial success, and not without some hopes that it would be general; -but I perfectly knew, that if the senior and more reflecting part -of the officers of the army signed an address that pledged them to -an active discharge of their duty to Government, all danger of the -remainder having recourse to desperate extremes, was at an end; for the -influence of the senior part of the army over the native troops was -decided; and this open declaration would at once have drawn a line -of separation betwixt the moderate and reasonable, and the turbulent, -which would have deprived the leaders of the latter of their chief -source of strength, which obviously lay in their being able to deceive -the multitude they guided, by persuading them that the cause was -general[40], and that many, whom prudence made reserved, would join -them the moment they ventured on a bolder line of action. - -In my anxiety to reconcile his mind to the adoption of this measure, I -more than once modified the expression of the address; and softened, -and in some instances struck out, those passages which he seemed to -think were most objectionable. I also took every pains to satisfy -his mind that it should never be known he had been consulted on the -subject. It was my intention to endeavour to obtain the high and -honoured name of Colonel Close at the head of this address; and after -adding those of several other officers of rank and estimation, whose -sentiments I knew would be favourable to such an object, to circulate -it with an appeal to the good sense of the whole army. Sir George -Barlow certainly hesitated regarding this measure, for he kept the -draft of the address two or three days, and then returned it with a -rejection of the expedient, grounded on his dislike to the adoption of -any step that was contrary to the established rules of his Government; -to his fear, that receiving such an address in a favourable manner -might in some degree sacrifice[41] his dignity, and, by doing so, -weaken that authority to which he trusted for the settlement of that -partial spirit of discontent which still existed. It was in vain that -I argued that the common rules of Government were adapted for common -times, and that in emergencies like the present, which presented -nothing but difficulties, those should be chosen which were likeliest -to effect the object at the least hazard to the state. All my reasoning -was ineffectual; and I was most reluctantly compelled to abandon -this project, from which I at that moment expected great success. -Every future event has satisfied my mind I was not too sanguine. I -conscientiously believe, if it had been adopted, though numbers might, -by their obstinacy and violence, have merited and received punishment, -yet the large body of Company's officers on the Madras establishment -would have restored the character of the army to which they belonged. -The extremes which have occurred, with all their baneful, and perhaps -irremediable consequences, would have been avoided; and assuredly the -prospect even of attaining such ends and of averting such evils, was -worth a slight departure from a common rule, and might have justified -some small deviation from the rigid system pursued by the Government of -Madras. - -To show in the most convincing light the correct view I took at that -moment of the actual state of affairs, and the very opposite sentiments -entertained by Sir George Barlow, I shall here quote some passages -from the private letters that I wrote from the 3d to the 15th of June, -(which includes the whole of the period of which I am now speaking,) -to Lord Minto and his private secretary. The following is a copy of my -letter to Lord Minto of the 3d of June. - -"I have delayed from day to day writing to your Lordship, till I -could inform myself of the real state of affairs at this distracted -Presidency; and I wish I could, in discharging my duty towards you, -confirm those impressions which _I believe you have received_, of the -general good effect produced by the orders of the 1st of May, and of -the return of the officers of this Presidency to the principles of -good order and subordination. The very contrary I believe to be the -fact: and I am satisfied that general spirit of discontent which has -long pervaded this army, had never more danger in it than at this -moment. I differ with Sir George Barlow (who has behaved with the most -flattering kindness to me, and given me his complete[42] confidence,) -upon this point; but I have too good a reason to rely upon my sources -of information. Besides, can there be a greater indication of this -spirit than has been exhibited in the conduct of the subsidiary force -at Hyderabad? They have, in an address to the whole army, disclaimed -all title to the thanks bestowed upon them, and publicly avowed, that -they not only shared the sentiments of the army, as expressed in their -former addresses, but felt deeply for their brother officers, who -had been arbitrarily suspended for just and honourable actions, and -were determined to contribute to their support in a firm, legal, and -moderate manner. These are, as nearly as my memory serves, the words -of this address: but a copy has probably been sent to your Lordship; -as one has, I understand, been received at head-quarters. Nothing can -exceed the present irritation: and it has, I am assured, gone much -greater lengths than Sir George Barlow can bring himself to believe. I -confess I am not without some apprehension of misfortune: and however -reluctant my mind is to believe that men can ever be so desperate -as to forget their duty to their country, I cannot resist evidence; -and I certainly have seen what convinces me that the most dangerous -combinations are formed, and conducted on principles entirely hostile -to order and good government. I have most frequent, and indeed daily, -communications with Sir George Barlow upon this subject; and have not -only given him every information I possess, but every opinion I have -formed; and have the highest reason to be satisfied with the manner -in which my communications are received. He is as satisfied as I am, -that the best reliance which Government has at this moment, is the -remaining good feeling of the army itself. We differ a little as to -the best means of bringing this into action. He is adverse to every -expedient that is _not in consistence with usage_. I think that those -means are best which will most speedily effect the object in a manner -that will be satisfactory to the pride and loyal feelings of the great -majority of the army, and yet not compromise in the slightest degree -the dignity of Government. The irritation that has been caused and kept -up by those acts, which Government has taken from private information -or reports of speeches at table, &c. is not to be conceived. The most -extreme emergency can only justify any public authority opening such -dangerous and suspicious channels, and they should be closed the moment -the danger is past. At present I am satisfied, (and so is Sir George -Barlow,) it is better to incur any hazard than have further resort to -such unpopular and uncertain means of detecting delinquency: and he is -resolved to let military law have its free course, in the conviction, -that his best chance of reclaiming a body of honourable though -misguided men, to their duty, is by showing he has not lost confidence -in them. - -"Sir George Barlow has hopes this agitation will subside[43] of itself. -I cannot think so. They are maddened with a thousand reflections, and -with none more than the shame and ruin which their rash proceedings -have brought on some of the most popular of their brother officers. -They have, in fact, not only quarrelled with Government, but with -themselves; and such quarrels are difficult to settle. Besides, they -are secretly goaded on by a thousand discontented men, who, defeated in -other objects, wish to throw this Government into confusion." - -On the 12th of June I again wrote to his lordship: - -"I wish I could say affairs here were in a better state; but I cannot -yet agree with Sir George Barlow that the discontent is subsiding. -Addresses have come from every part of the army to the principal -officers suspended by the orders of the 1st of May, containing -assurances of support, &c. These, fortunately, have not yet been -brought under the eye of Government. I say fortunately; because it -would be impossible for Government, in consistence with its past -proceedings, to pass such addresses unnoticed; and I should regret -to see it obliged to notice them at a moment when the good sense and -good feeling of the army seems lost, and the whole appears under the -influence of blind passion. Sir George Barlow has put an end to all -proceedings grounded on private information, and has resolved to -maintain that dignified line which never stoops to suspicion, and makes -men worthy of confidence by boldly giving it to them. _If this is -persevered in_, it will do great good; for it will excite into action -the remaining good feeling of the army, which, though dormant, must be -considerable; and which forms, at this moment, the great, if not the -only, strength of Government." - -And upon the 15th of June I wrote to his Lordship's son and private -secretary, Mr. John Elliott, as follows: - -"With regard to this army I have already written to Lord Minto. I am -satisfied he has never had a full idea of the danger to which the -public interests are exposed, or I think he would have come to this -spot. I am far from meaning to state that Sir George Barlow has not -communicated all he knew or thought: but, in the first place, I am -satisfied he has been, generally speaking, badly informed; and, in the -next, he has been endeavouring to persuade himself that there was no -danger, and even now he tries to think every thing will subside; though -he knows (_for I have told him_) that papers of the most objectionable -nature are in circulation, and that the most violent measures have -been, and are, contemplated. It is impossible to convey to men who are -calm and think rationally, any idea of the state of this army. All -the respectable men in it appear to suffer a set of mad-headed boys -to take the lead: and the greatest merit I see any man claim, is that -of being passive; though all confess it is a period at which one step -will involve the country in all the horrors of a civil war: and there -are numbers (such is the insanity that has got head,) that desire to -accelerate that event. - -"You may be satisfied I would not even hint at a state of affairs so -shocking to contemplate, if I had not the strongest grounds for what I -state: but I have seen the greater part of their correspondence, _and -know, and have informed Sir George Barlow_, of the extent to which -matters have proceeded, and of the increase of irritation that has -been lately produced: particularly by that ill-judged and unmerited -compliment to the force at Hyderabad, who, from being moderate, have, -with the customary zeal of converts, become the most violent; and -would (but for the timely exercise of Colonel Montresor's personal -influence,) have forced a paper a few days ago upon Government, which -it must have noticed most seriously; and that notice was expected by -some of the maddest to be the signal of some very violent measures. -This remonstrance, as I said before, has been stopt; but there is, I -fear, too much reason to conclude others of the same character will -be forwarded. I know not whether Lord Minto is informed of all these -circumstances; but it is proper he should know them, as they refer -to one of the most serious dangers that can assail the Empire under -his charge. I enjoy Sir George Barlow's fullest confidence upon this -subject; but he has, I believe, _more congenial counsellors_, who -are fonder of maintaining the consistency of Government upon paper, -than of tranquillizing the minds of a meritorious and honourable, -though misguided body of men: but assuredly every means should be -adopted which human wisdom can suggest, to reclaim them to temper and -attachment, provided always such means do not compromise the strength -and dignity of Government. Concessions cannot be made to demand; but -men may, perhaps, by management, be reconciled to themselves and the -state by something short of concession. Sir George Barlow has rather an -exaggerated opinion of my personal influence; and he thinks, I believe, -it will effect what I only expect from the united good feeling of the -army. I have, however, done all I can; and shall continue, under all -circumstances, my most ardent efforts in the cause of good order and -government." - -I heard, towards the end of June, of some extraordinary proceedings -that had taken place regarding the European regiment stationed at -Masulipatam, in consequence of a dispute between the Lieutenant-Colonel -commanding and the officers of the corps. The substance of these -proceedings[44] may be given in a few words. Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, -the day after he joined the regiment (the 7th of May), dined at the -mess, where a toast was given, "The friends of the army;" to which -he objected, and proposed it to be changed for one of less equivocal -meaning--"The Madras army." This was not assented to, and he left -the table. Next day he wrote an account of this circumstance to -head-quarters, but _desired it should not be noticed_, as he expected -an apology from those officers whose conduct he considered as most -disrespectful. The moment his letter reached Madras, an order was -transmitted, directing Lieutenant David Forbes, who was said to be the -person who had given the toast, to proceed, at a few hours' warning, to -the Fort of Condapilly, a solitary and far from healthy post, at the -distance of forty miles, and one at which there was not _one_ man of -the corps to which he belonged. Lieutenant Maitland, who was reported -to have seconded the toast, was, by the same order, deprived of his -station of Quarter-Master. These measures, combined with an imprudent -declaration of Colonel Innes, that the corps would be disbanded if a -young officer refused to accept the vacant station of Quarter-Master, -(by which probably it was only meant that that event might be -apprehended, if such a spirit of insubordination continued,) threw the -officers of the regiment into a great ferment, and led to their making -a representation to head-quarters, earnestly soliciting the benefit of -regular military trial, and deprecating the disgrace to which they were -exposed from such punishments being inflicted, without the slightest -opportunity being given to individuals of vindicating themselves from -the private accusations made against them. - -I was quite satisfied, from what I heard of those proceedings, of which -I have only given the outline, that they were more than severe; and -were calculated, in even ordinary times, to produce much irritation; -and I therefore was not at all surprised at their aggravated effect -at a period of such general agitation. Soon after these events had -occurred, I was informed by Admiral Drury, that he had, in consequence -of an order from the Duke of York, desiring all the men of his -Majesty's regiments employed as marines to be landed, applied to the -Government of Fort St. George for some men; and that a detachment had -been ordered from the regiment at Masulipatam, for which a frigate and -sloop of war were to sail that evening. Many circumstances had made me, -about this period, very reluctant to press the attention of Sir George -Barlow to a danger, the existence of which he _appeared resolved_ not -to believe; but I could not help, upon this occasion, stating to his -private secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, all I thought upon the -subject. The following is an extract of my note to that confidential -officer. - -"The great object at present, is not to agitate, in any way, (if it -can be avoided,) any of those questions which have disturbed the -temper of the army; and to restore that, by every means short of -concession, to its proper tone. To effect this, we must trust in large -points to the action of the good feeling of the army itself, and small -questions will soon die of neglect. Now it occurs to me, the ordering -a large detachment of the European regiment at this moment on board -his Majesty's ships, is liable to much misrepresentation, and is -calculated to increase discontent. This has not been usual; and, after -the conduct of the officers of the regiment, it will be considered as -a punishment: and if it is so, it will, from its nature, have no good -effect; for it will be referred to a desire to divide a corps, which -men will say never could have arisen, if Government had been confident -in their obedience and attachment. The corps itself will receive this -order as an additional stigma on their character; and, in the heated -state they are in, I should not be surprised if they went to greater -extremities than they already have gone; and, if the accounts I have -heard of their proceedings are correct, they have been bolder in their -expressions of discontent than any corps in the service. All this is -perhaps very improbable; but still no man acquainted with the present -state of affairs can say it is impossible; and why incur the most -distant hazard of aggravating men's feelings by a measure of such -trifling consequence? No man could, at this moment, have recommended, -as a political measure, such a wretched expedient as that of dividing -this corps in the manner proposed; and if it is merely to comply with a -requisition of the Admiral for marines, he might take them, as has been -the usage, from any one of the King's regiments, or might go without, -rather than give cause to misrepresentation at such a moment. If all or -any of the officers of the European regiment merit punishment, let them -be punished in an open manner, agreeable to usage, and my life upon the -consequence: but to think of sending one here, and one there[45], is -only to show weakness, and to give grounds to the wicked to circulate -aggravated reports, and to kindle the flame of discord and discontent. -Pardon this hasty note, and tear it[46]. You will understand what I -mean perfectly. _Depend upon it, it is trifles of this nature which -merit all the attention of Government at this moment._" - -I did not receive any answer from Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay till next -morning; when, after stating the hurry that prevented him from writing, -and the causes which had made Government order this detachment, he -states his belief, grounded on his knowledge of Masulipatam as a -station, that there will be a competition between both officers and -men to proceed as marines; and concludes by saying, "I shall only add -further, that there is no guarding against wilful misrepresentations, -and that those who are obliged to act, must, in such cases as the -present, be satisfied with the uprightness of their intentions." - -Every thing that I had foreseen occurred. The arrival of the orders -for the marines occasioned an instant mutiny of the garrison of -Masulipatam, and precipitated that crisis which it was of such great -consequence to avoid. Sir George Barlow felt this occurrence as a -serious evil; and, in a long conversation I had with him upon the -subject, he expressed the extremest anxiety to prevent those bad -consequences which were to be expected to result, by the adoption -of every moderate and conciliatory means that he could use, without -a compromise of the authority and dignity of Government. He told me -he had rejected all the violent measures that had been proposed, -of coercing the garrison into submission by the employment of his -Majesty's troops; as such, he was convinced, would cause a general -rupture, which he still hoped would be avoided; and which, at -all events, it was most important to retard. His anxiety on this -occasion was much increased by the receipt, at the same period, of -a highly improper address from the officers of the subsidiary force -at Hyderabad; and he desired my opinion on the best course to be -pursued on so alarming an emergency. I advised a line that appeared -to me likely to arrest the progress of men standing on a precipice of -guilt. Every hour gained gave time for the operation of reason; and if -that should fail, it was still of consequence that Government should -be more prepared than it was at that moment for the occurrence of a -rupture with its army. On these grounds, I recommended that an officer -of rank should be sent to Masulipatam to assume the command, and that -he should be appointed president of a committee to inquire into the -causes of the mutiny, and report their proceedings to Government, _who -would, when the information upon this subject was complete, adopt -measures for the prosecution and punishment of the most guilty_. In -this proceeding there was an appearance of great temper and moderation; -no serious sacrifice of dignity was made; and time (which, for reasons -before stated, appeared the great object,) was gained: and all those -effects which must have attended the detachment of a force against the -garrison, or the equally unwise proceeding of attempting (before either -reason had time to operate, or the means of coercion were prepared) to -arrest or confine any individual, were avoided. On Sir George Barlow's -expressing his assent to my suggestions, I offered, in the warmth of -my zeal, to proceed to Masulipatam. He accepted this offer with great -apparent pleasure; and he evidently thought that the appointment of an -officer who was known to enjoy his confidence, and who had so publicly -professed a conciliatory disposition, proclaimed the character of the -act: and the nomination of Lieutenant-Colonel William Berkley and Major -Evans to aid me, (two officers who are now no more, but who, while -they lived, enjoyed in an eminent degree the love and respect of all -ranks in the army to which they belonged,) was a full confirmation (if -any had been wanted) of the nature of this measure[47]. If it had been -possible for me to have mistaken Sir George Barlow in the conversation -I had with him on the morning he received this intelligence, I was -completely confirmed by what passed in the evening after I had been in -the fort, and, in the office of the commander of the forces, (General -Gowdie,) had a discussion with some of the officers of the general -staff upon the whole of this subject. One of those officers, who was -known to enjoy the chief share of Sir George Barlow's confidence, -stated at this conference, that movements of corps would be immediately -ordered that would place the native troops under the complete check of -his Majesty's regiments; and that the Governor should, in his opinion, -have no hesitation in throwing himself at once upon the King's army. -I could not but treat such sentiments with some warmth, as being -altogether incompatible with that ardent wish which was professed of -reclaiming the Company's officers to their duty. The very knowledge, I -observed to General Gowdie, of such sentiments being held and declared, -was in itself sufficient to drive men to extremes. The General fully -acquiesced in my opinion. Another officer of the staff, who was also -a principal adviser of the Governor, said upon this occasion, that -he understood I was a friend to concessions that would degrade the -Government; that his advice had been, to send a detachment to attack -Masulipatam; and that unless I could, the moment I went there, send -Major Storey and the other ringleaders under a guard to Madras, -evil, instead of good, must result from my mission. I repelled this -gentleman's attack with a warmth that produced interference to prevent -a personal dispute, and concluded by telling him, that I was now aware -of the true character of those sentiments entertained by the persons -who had the chief influence over Sir George Barlow's mind; and that, -with that knowledge, I should certainly not proceed to Masulipatam, -as I saw the probability of measures being adopted, in my absence, -of a directly opposite character to those I was desired to execute; -and the only consequence I should anticipate, was failure and loss -of character. Some explanations were made, but none that dispelled -the alarm I had taken at the sentiments which I had just heard. I -went immediately to the Governor, to whom I mentioned all that had -passed: and I can most solemnly affirm, that Sir George Barlow gave -me, at this second conference, every assurance that could be given to -satisfy my mind. He declared he would not listen to any such violent -counsels[48] as I had heard; that he gave me his entire confidence, -and vested me with the fullest discretion to act in all respects as I -thought proper, in my endeavours to reclaim the deluded men, to whom -I was proceeding, to reflection and duty; and that he was satisfied -the honour of his Government was perfectly safe in my hands. Not one -word was mentioned, at this conference, regarding my commencing my -proceeding by an appeal to the men, or by confining those officers who -had been most active in the mutiny. It was, indeed, evident that the -first of these acts would have caused a desperation in the minds of -the officers, that must have led to that instant rupture which _it was -the object of my mission to avoid_; and, with regard to the second, a -military court of inquiry had been ordered to investigate the whole of -the proceedings at Masulipatam, chiefly, if not exclusively, with the -view of enabling Government to gain time, without loss of reputation; -and any precipitate proceedings against the ringleaders would have been -an obvious sacrifice of that great object. - -Such were the sentiments of Sir George Barlow at the moment I was -deputed to Masulipatam: at least such were the impressions which all -his observations made upon my mind. He determined at this moment -to return the address from Hyderabad, and to write a letter to the -commanding officer of that force in terms calculated to show his -forbearance, and indeed to evince to the violent and misguided -officers of that station the same spirit of temperate and conciliatory -disposition as had led him to depute me to Masulipatam. He desired me -to make a memorandum of what I conceived he should write upon this -occasion. I instantly drew out the following. - -"Substance of a letter to the commanding officers at Hyderabad and -Jaulnah. - -"Expressing the great regret and disapprobation with which Government -has received a Memorial from the officers of the subsidiary force, -soliciting it to rescind the orders of the 1st of May. - -"Pointing out in a calm but forcible manner the dangerous tendency of -such addresses, and the total impossibility of complying with such a -request; stating that Government is only fulfilling a sacred duty when -it exhorts the officers who have signed and forwarded these papers -to reflect most seriously upon the consequences which a perseverance -in such measures must produce. It owes this warning and exhortation -to a body of men, who, acting under warm and erroneous impressions, -have for a moment forgot what is due to their own high character, and -to that Government under which they are placed. The motives of this -expostulation with the a officers of the subsidiary force will not be -misunderstood; but it is necessary that they should distinctly know, -that while Government can and does make every allowance for that -momentary delusion and irritation which a variety of circumstances -have been calculated to produce, that it will never either abandon -or compromise its authority; and that it will, if compelled to act, -maintain, under every extreme and at every hazard, those principles of -obedience and subordination, without which, it is satisfied, neither it -nor the army can exist." - -With this memorandum Sir George Barlow was perfectly pleased, and -desired me to give it the form of a letter, and deliver it to -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, that it might be dispatched next day[49]. I -did so, and carried the copy of the memorandum with me to Masulipatam, -for which place I sailed on the 2d of July 1809, the whole of the -circumstances to which I have alluded having taken place on the day -preceding. - -I landed at Masulipatam on the 4th of July; and the journal of my -proceedings at that place, with the extracts of my letters to Sir -George Barlow, General Gowdie, and Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, and -of the letters I received from the latter officer (all of which form -numbers of the Appendix), will give the clearest and most faithful -account of the manner in which I executed the arduous task that an -imprudent, but I hope not an illaudable, zeal led me to undertake. -During my residence at that place I continued active in my endeavours -to disseminate, by letters to different quarters of the army, such -sentiments as I thought calculated to counteract the poison of those -inflammatory papers that were then in circulation: and the extract from -my letter addressed to a respectable field officer (Lieutenant-Colonel -McLeod), under date the 20th of July 1809, which forms a number of the -Appendix, will show the complete and just view I took at that period of -the result of the violent proceedings of the army. - -I left Masulipatam on the night of the 22d of July, and arrived at -Madras on the morning of the 26th, having travelled two hundred and -ninety miles in little more than three days. I knew of the flagrant act -of disobedience which the subsidiary force at Hyderabad had committed, -in refusing to allow the 2d battalion of the 10th regiment to march to -Goa, to which station it had been ordered in prosecution of the plan -for dividing the native corps so as to place them under the check of -his Majesty's regiments[50]. I thought it probable that this event -would give rise to some strong measures on the part of Government, and -I was most anxious to communicate all the information I had collected -before any such were adopted: but, though no danger could have resulted -from delay, the Governor, who knew I would be at Madras on the morning -of the 26th, did not deem it necessary to wait even for a few hours, -though strongly urged to do so by Major-General Gowdie[51], the -commander of the forces; and the moment of my arrival was that of the -execution of the orders of the 26th of July for the separation of the -officers from their men. I did not see Sir George Barlow till next day: -and the cold manner in which I was received, the slighting view which I -saw was taken of my efforts at Masulipatam, and the reserve maintained, -not only by him, but by others, left me without a doubt that I was no -longer honoured with his confidence; which I was now, indeed, convinced -I had never possessed but in a very limited degree. I therefore -resolved, in future, to confine myself to an obedience of any orders -I might receive, and no longer to expose myself to that failure and -disgrace which must always attend the person who acts as a confidential -agent, on delicate and important occasions, to one with whose -proceedings his mind does not accord, whose confidence he does not -enjoy, and of whose plans he is but imperfectly informed. But, before -I proceed to explain the subsequent part I took in these transactions, -it will be proper to offer some remarks on the observations made in -the letter, under date 10th September, 1809, from the Government of -Fort St. George to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, -respecting my conduct at Masulipatam. The following is an extract from -the letter from the Governor of Fort St. George upon this subject. - -"On receiving intelligence of the mutiny, we appointed -Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, in whose zeal and talents we entertained -the fullest confidence, to the command of the Madras European regiment, -and the garrison of Masulipatam, for the purpose of re-establishing -the authority of Government over the troops, inquiring into the -causes of the mutiny, and placing the most guilty of the offenders -under arrest. Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm was not furnished with any -written instructions: it was left to his discretion to adopt such -measures as circumstances might render advisable, with the view to the -accomplishment of the objects of his deputation. - -"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm immediately proceeded by sea to -Masulipatam. On his arrival he found that the officers of the garrison -had formed themselves into a committee, in which every officer had -a voice. The greatest anarchy and confusion prevailed; and it was -with difficulty that he prevailed on the officers to acknowledge his -authority. - -"As it never was in the contemplation of the Government to disband the -European regiment, it was expected that Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm -would have taken the earliest opportunity to communicate to the men -a distinct and public disavowal of that intention on the part of the -Government, and have employed the most strenuous exertions to recall -the men to a sense of their duty, by impressing upon their minds the -degree of guilt and danger in which their officers, for purposes -entirely personal to themselves, had endeavoured to involve them. It -was also expected that Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, by establishing his -influence and authority over the troops composing the garrison, would -have secured their obedience, and by that measure have deprived the -officers of the power of prosecuting their designs, and brought the -leaders to trial for their mutinous conduct. - -"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm appears, however, to have adopted a course -of proceedings entirely different from that which we had in view in -deputing him to Masulipatam. He abstained from making any direct -communication to the men: and when we authorized him, with the view -of detaching the troops from the cause of their officers, to proclaim -a pardon to the European and native soldiers for the part which they -might have taken in the mutiny, he judged it proper to withhold the -promulgation of the pardon, from an apprehension (as stated in his -letter to our President, dated the 18th of July) of irritating the -minds of the European officers, and driving them to despair. - -"To this apparent unreasonable forbearance and attention to the -feelings of the officers, who had, by their acts of violence and -aggression, forfeited all claims to such consideration, may, we -conceive, be ascribed Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's failure in the -establishment of any efficient control over the garrison: and he -appears to have been principally occupied, during the period of -his residence at Masulipatam, in negociations with the disorderly -committees; calculated, in our opinion, to compromise rather than -establish his authority; and in fruitless attempts to induce them, by -argument, to return to their duty, and abandon the criminal combination -in which they had engaged. Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's reasons for -pursuing this line of conduct, and for recommending to us the adoption -of conciliatory and temporizing measures, are detailed in his letters -to our President, dated the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July. In those letters -he states, that the officers at Masulipatam had received assurances -from most of the military stations of the army, applauding their -conduct, and promising them effectual support; that the whole army were -united in a resolution to oppose the authority of Government; that -there was not a single corps, from Ganjam to Cape Comorin, which was -not prepared to break out into open rebellion. The measures recommended -by Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, as constituting, in his opinion, the -only means of averting the most dreadful calamities, consisted of a -modified repeal of the orders of the 1st of May; the restoration to -the service, and to their appointments, of all the officers whom we -had found it necessary to suspend or remove; with an intimation to the -army, that their claims to Bengal allowances would be brought to the -notice of the Honourable the Court of Directors. Lieutenant-Colonel -Malcolm returned to Madras, on the arrival of Major-General Pater at -Masulipatam to assume the command of the northern division of the -army, having succeeded no further in accomplishing the objects of his -mission, than in preventing the officers from adopting any flagrant -acts of outrage to authority during his residence at Masulipatam." - -The first charge is hardly less than a direct accusation of -disobedience of orders. It is stated, that as it never was in the -contemplation of Government to disband the European regiment, it was -expected I would have taken the earliest opportunity to communicate -to the men a distinct and public disavowal of that intention. In -the succeeding paragraph I am accused of having adopted a course of -proceeding entirely different from what Government had in view in -deputing me; and I am positively charged _with_ "_having abstained -from making any direct communication to the men_." My letter to -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, of the 18th July, is a number of this -dispatch, and has been printed with it. This letter contains the -following passage: "You will satisfy Sir George Barlow, that one of -the first things that I did, after I came on shore, was to satisfy the -minds of the officers, and, through them, of the men, of the intentions -of Government in ordering a party of marines from the corps; _and you -will see, by the enclosed extract from my Journal, that I took the -first good opportunity that offered of_ STATING THIS FACT _in the most -public and impressive manner to the whole regiment_." I may ask, with -great surprise and some indignation, Why the extract alluded to in this -letter was not transmitted to the Honourable the Court of Directors? -This extract was a copy of my speech made to the European regiment -under arms on the 15th of July. The whole of this speech is in my -Journal[52]. The following is a part of it. - -"I consider it my duty to declare to you at this moment, that it never -was in the contemplation of Government to _disband_ or disperse this -corps; and that it never meant to employ any officer or man of the -regiment in any manner, or upon any service, but such as was suited to -the character of British soldiers; and which it, of course, conceived -both officers and men would be forward to proceed upon." - -Is it possible that any disavowal could be more distinct, or made in -a more proper and military manner? Yet I am directly charged with -_having abstained_ from making any such communication to the _men_! It -is possible a charge so completely unfounded may have originated in -mistake or neglect: but where there exists, as on the present occasion, -an evident desire to criminate; where the secret nature of the blow -afforded no opportunity of defence; such mistake, even if proved, -neither can nor ought to disarm honest resentment. It is too much to -have a character, that has been obtained by the struggle of a whole -life, assailed in such a manner. But the knowledge which the Governor -of Fort St. George had of my proceeding, upon this point, was not -limited to this communication through Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay. The -day after my return to Madras, I read to him the whole of my Journal. -It is true he did not pay much attention to it: and the little value -he attached to the detail of my proceedings was the cause of my not -loading my public report with a copy of its contents. I had neither -received at that moment, nor at any subsequent period, the slightest -official notice of even dissatisfaction; and the probability of my -conduct being misrepresented to my superiors in England in the manner -it has been, never once entered into my imagination. - -In answer to the charge, "That I did not employ my strenuous exertions -to recall the men to a sense of their duty, by impressing upon their -minds the degree of guilt and danger in which their officers, for -purposes entirely personal to themselves, had endeavoured to involve -them," I must reply in the most solemn manner, that I was not withheld -from acting in the manner the Government here state they expected -I would, merely because I had no orders to do so, but because I -considered that such a proceeding would have had an operation directly -opposite to all Sir George Barlow's intentions, as expressed when I -left Madras. His desire then was, (as has already been shown,) to -conciliate and reclaim the officers of the Company's army, not to -render them desperate. I was particularly instructed to point their -views to England, to persuade them by every effort to await the -decision of the Honourable the Court of Directors, and to prevent -their precipitating themselves into a guilt from which they could -never retreat. Sir George Barlow appeared satisfied I could effect -this through the influence of my general character, and the power of -reason, aided by the justice of the cause I had to support: and I most -solemnly affirm, that if the Government of Madras desire to insinuate -(as the substance of these passages in their letter would imply) that I -acted contrary to the instructions of Sir George Barlow, communicated -to me in private, that the charge is not founded in fact: and it is -fortunate for me that the subsequent communications made by Sir George -Barlow's Secretary, and all the circumstances of this case, completely -corroborate and establish the truth of that unqualified assertion, -which I have deemed it due to my character to make on this point. A -letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay[53], dated the 12th of July, and -written by the Governor's order, in reply to my communications from -Masulipatam of the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July, in which I had required -further orders, repeats nearly the same sentiments in the same language -Sir George Barlow had used before I left Madras. "You cannot," he -observes, "render a more acceptable service to the public interests, -than by the exertion of your influence and ability in keeping the -garrison of Masulipatam firm to their duty, and _satisfying the -officers_ that it is not less for their interests than it is consistent -with their duty, to await the decision of the authorities in England on -the several questions which have occasioned so much agitation in the -minds of a considerable portion of the army of this establishment." - -The same officer wrote to me a short letter on the 20th of July, in -which he repeats these sentiments, and concludes by stating, that the -greatest service I could render my country, in the actual situation of -affairs, was "to keep the garrison in order, and bring the _minds of -the officers back to reason_." - -I was authorized, through the same channel, to proceed with the -inquiry, (if I thought it advisable,) without waiting for my -colleagues, reporting _the result, for the orders of Government_: and a -discretion was vested in me to grant a pardon to the non-commissioned -officers and privates of the garrison, if I should judge it necessary: -but this was evidently in reference to the possible occurrence of a -case of extreme emergency, which Colonel Barclay stated the Governor -felt assured would not arise. - -It will certainly not occur, on a perusal of what I have stated, that -there existed the slightest ground for the Government of Fort St. -George indulging those expectations which they have declared they did -in their letter to the Secret Committee. Is it possible that they -could, at the moment, have expected that an officer, instructed as I -was, should have commenced his proceedings with "strenuous exertions -to excite the men against officers," whom he was directed to reclaim -to their duty by the efforts of reason and argument? And when he had -been commanded to carry on a military inquiry, in order to ascertain -the nature and degree of the crimes of different individuals, was it -reasonable to suppose he would disappoint the very object[54] for -which that was instituted, by a premature attempt to seize and bring -ringleaders to trial, on whose guilt he was expressly told "it was his -duty to report, and to await the orders of Government?" - -It is sufficiently obvious, from what has been stated, that when the -Government of Fort St. George wrote those paragraphs (which have been -quoted) to the Secret Committee, the object was more to preserve a -character of consistence, than to give a correct view of the actual -situation of affairs at the moment of the occurrence of those events -which are described. The Government, in a subsequent part of the -same dispatch, gives a more just account of the character of this -proceeding. "We had hitherto," they observe, "continued to expect, -that the firmness of our measures, and the good sense of the officers -of the army, would have finally succeeded in restoring order: but we -were convinced, by the failure of Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's mission, -by the addresses received from Hyderabad, and by the intelligence -received from other quarters, that it was necessary to calculate on -the possibility of the officers proceeding to the last extremities -of rebellion; and to consider the means of preventing, or finally of -meeting, that arduous state of things. The moderate course of conduct -pursued by the Government, and which was founded on a favourable -opinion of the loyalty of the army, had failed; and we were reduced to -the alternative of making the concession demanded by the officers, or -subduing them by force." - -Is it not evident from this paragraph alone, if other evidences were -wanting, that the Government considered my mission to Masulipatam as -a proceeding which was calculated, by its moderation, to reclaim the -officers to their duty; and in no degree whatever related to that -course of measures which was subsequently adopted? A most desperate -remedy was ultimately applied to the existing evils: and in having -recourse to the expedient of exciting the men against their officers, -and in impairing the strength if not destroying that link by which -almost all are agreed we hold India, the Government of Fort St. -George might perhaps be justified by the emergency of the moment; and -the controlling authorities in England may be satisfied that this -operation, however terrible, was necessary and politic; but assuredly -(even if all this is granted) no person can believe that any authority -but Government could adopt such a measure. It appears too much to have -expected, that an officer sent to moderate the minds of a body of -officers, and to reclaim them to their duty by argument and reason, -should (_acting upon his own discretion, and without orders_) have -adopted this desperate expedient; and that he should have commenced his -efforts to persuade the officers to return to their duty, by exciting -their men to throw off their authority. - -The Government of Madras proceed to state, that it ascribes my failure -to an apparent unreasonable and unwise forbearance and attention to the -feelings of officers who had, by their acts of violence and aggression, -forfeited all claims to consideration; that my time was occupied in -negotiations with disorderly committees, and in fruitless attempts to -bring officers back to their duty by argument. A reference is made to -my reasons for this conduct, as stated in my letters[55] under date -the 4th, 5th, and 6th of July. The measures which I recommended are -there stated. These, the Government observed, "consisted of a modified -repeal of the orders of the 1st of May; the restoration to the service, -and to their appointments, of all the officers whom we had found it -necessary to suspend or remove; with an intimation to the army, that -their claims to Bengal allowances would be brought to the notice of the -Honourable the Court of Directors." It is stated in the conclusion of -this paragraph, that I returned to Madras, "having succeeded no further -in accomplishing the objects of my mission, than in preventing the -officers from adopting any flagrant acts of outrage to authority during -my residence at Masulipatam." As my failure is ascribed to an apparent -unreasonable and unwise attention to the feelings of officers who had -by their acts of violence forfeited all claims to consideration, may -it not be asked, What was the situation of these officers when I was -deputed by Sir George Barlow with instructions to restore them to -better feelings, and a juster sense of duty, by the efforts of reason -and argument? Were they not in a state of outrageous mutiny? Their -commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, had been placed under -sentries, and it was hourly expected they would openly throw off even -the show of obedience; and yet at such a period I received instructions -from Sir George Barlow to use every effort of reason and argument to -reclaim the officers to their duty. When I had, as appears from my -Journal[56] and letters, in a great degree succeeded, having released -Colonel Innes from his arrest, prevailed upon a mutinous garrison to -abandon its design of immediately throwing off its allegiance, and of -marching to Hyderabad, obtained from them a reluctant recognition of -my authority, and was proceeding with the inquiry which I had been -directed to make: when all these changes, I say, had been effected -without _one concession_, by the force of that reason which I was -directed to employ; and I had reported all that I had done; I received -a letter from Colonel Barclay, written by order of Sir George Barlow, -approving of my measures, desiring me to continue my efforts to reclaim -the officers, and to direct their attention to the decision of the -authorities in England: and yet, when my success within the few days -I was at Masulipatam had been as great as it was possible to expect -such means could produce, (for changes in men's minds that are effected -by reason and argument must be gradual,) I am accused, in a secret -dispatch to my superiors in England, of having failed in my mission, -from a forbearance, which, though subsequently termed unreasonable and -unwise, I have shown Sir George Barlow deemed, or professed to deem, -at the moment of my departure from Madras, wise and politic; and from -an attention to the feelings of those very officers, to whose feelings -and reason, when their crimes were at the greatest height, I had been -directed, by the verbal instructions of Sir George Barlow, _and the -letters_ of his secretary, to address myself. - -It is stated, that my time was occupied in communication with -disorderly committees. To this I reply, that I never recognised -any committee in any public or official manner that could either -compromise my own authority, or commit the dignity of Government. I -communicated, it is true, chiefly with those officers who, from their -rank or ability, appeared to have most influence over the rest. Not -to have done so, would have been to neglect the employment of those -means to which I have shown Sir George Barlow exclusively trusted for -my success. I learnt, that there existed a garrison committee, of -which every officer was a member, and which could never meet without -danger of a mutiny that in its consequences would have precipitated -a rupture between the Government and most other parts of the army: -an extreme which it was my constant labour to retard, if I could -not altogether avert. This committee I endeavoured, by my influence -with the senior and more reflecting officers of the garrison, to -dissolve; and I considered my success in this point as a great step -towards the restoration of order. The control of the proceedings of -the whole became vested in a few senior officers of comparative -moderation, whose minds were more accessible to reason, and whose -small numbers rendered them less liable to those violent impressions -which produce such mischief in large and turbulent meetings. But all -the communications I ever had, either directly or indirectly, with -any individual or bodies of officers at Masulipatam, are stated in my -journal: and, it will be seen from that, I never made the slightest -concession to the repeated demands of the officers of that garrison. -That my proceedings were not such as is prescribed by an observation of -the regular course of military discipline there can be no doubt: but -Government had itself decided that question. They had refrained (for -the reasons stated in the dispatch to which I have so often referred) -from resorting to the usual means, the employment of force for quelling -the mutiny at Masulipatam. I was deputed on what is termed in this very -dispatch _a mission_, (a word in itself including a volume,) in order -that I might reclaim to duty, by the efforts of reason and argument, -the officers of a garrison which were known to be almost to a man -unanimously bent on mutiny and opposition to authority; and yet I am -subsequently condemned by the Government that sent me, for having used -the only means by which it was possible I could accomplish that object. - -The statement made in the same paragraph of this dispatch regarding -the character of those measures which I recommended, with a view of -terminating the agitation of the army, will, I am assured, not be -considered as either fair or liberal, by any person who gives an -attentive perusal to my secret and confidential letter to Sir George -Barlow upon that subject. I saw, immediately after my arrival at -Masulipatam, that some conciliatory measures must be instantly adopted -by Government, if it intended to avoid the desperate extreme of a -contest with its own army. A contest which, it will be recollected, -I never doubted would early terminate in favour of the former: but -success, I was convinced, would bring dangers of a hundred fold -greater magnitude than any that could result from issuing the -order[57] that I recommended. - -On the succeeding day I wrote another letter[58], which contained the -following paragraph: - -"I can think of no improvement to this order, except you conceive -the great object of avoiding hostilities would justify the following -addition to it. 'Government received a representation from a number of -the officers of the coast army, in which they solicit the equalization -of their allowances with those of the officers of the Bengal army: This -is a subject, the consideration of which must exclusively rest with the -Honourable the Court of Directors, under whose notice this application -will, _in course_, be brought, and by whose decision it will be the -duty of the officers of the coast army to abide.'" - -I may ask, Whether the order I suggested in my letter of the 5th of -July justifies the assertion in the letter from the Madras Government, -that I recommended "the restoration to the service and their -appointments of all the officers the Government had removed." The terms -of the order I suggested were only, that _in the full confidence_ that -the officers of the coast would immediately abandon their proceedings, -Government would _recommend_ the _officers suspended to the Court of -Directors_. That it restored Colonels Bell and Chalmers to command, -from which they had been removed, and also one or two staff officers -who were in a similar predicament. There is assuredly a wide difference -between the immediate restoration of all the officers suspended from -the service, and the conditional promise of a favourable recommendation -to that authority by which, under every circumstance, the fate of -these officers must have been decided. With respect to Colonel Bell, -I conscientiously believed at the moment, from what I knew of the -case of that valuable officer, that Sir George Barlow would not be -reluctant to consent to his restoration; and with regard to that of -Colonel Chalmers and one or two others in nearly similar predicaments, -I conceived that if any measure of this kind was adopted, it should -be as complete as it was possible to make it, without affecting the -principle which was to carry _conciliation in act_ (words, after what -had passed, could be of little or no avail) as far as was possible, -without serious injury to the authority and dignity of Government. -It was this consideration which led to the communication already -quoted from my letter of the 6th of July regarding the first Memorial -forwarded by General McDowall. What I recommended was nothing more -than what had, I believe, been done as an act of course, and was -stated in a mode which, though conciliatory, reminded the army of -their duty, and gave them no reason to believe more, than that the -Court of Directors _would see_ the document in question. I think at -this moment, as I did at that in which I recommended this measure, -that nothing could have been more fortunate than its adoption. I know -I differ on this point from very high authorities, who believe that -any concessions, (and such they would appear to deem _every act_ of -conciliation,) however modified and corrected, would have been ruinous -to Government: but, in spite of these imposing opinions[59], I must -ask reflecting men to look near the subject, to examine the evil which -this measure could have produced, consider the ills that were at that -moment to be expected, and to think on those that have resulted from -the complete success to authority that the most sanguine could have -anticipated, and then to pronounce their cool and deliberate judgment. -There certainly could be no apprehension entertained that this order -would have strengthened, to any purpose of immediate violence or -opposition, the discontented and turbulent: but the danger stated is, -that those would have deemed it a victory. Let us for a moment suppose -they had been led, by their first feelings of joy at their escape from -a punishment which they had merited, to have considered it as such, -what permanent effect could such a feeling produce? What had they -gained? _Nothing._ The fate of the officers who had been suspended -remained to be decided by the Directors; with whom it must, under all -circumstances, ultimately rest. Their Memorial for an increase of -allowances was to be brought before the same body, but without even -a promise from Government of any recommendation. There was an end to -their combinations and committees[60], and, with them, to all those -threats they had thrown out against the local Government, which, it -was evident, would acquire such a vast accession of strength by the -spirit of moderation and conciliation which it had shown, as would -fully enable it to enforce the most severe discipline, and particularly -in all cases which were attended with a danger of the recurrence of -evils of a similar character to those it had so recently encountered. -The majority, indeed, of the officers of the army, and all the most -respectable, had seen at this moment the desperate situation into which -they had unwarily suffered themselves to be led. They would have had no -sentiments but those of gratitude to a Government, whose consideration -had presented them with the means of escape. All these would, if such -an indulgence had been shown to their errors, have ranged themselves -with enthusiasm on the side of Government, and would have been the most -forward to retrieve the character of the service, by the punishment of -those whom a hardened spirit of disaffection and turbulence had led to -continue in opposition. That such a class would also have remained, -there is no doubt; and Government might have been satisfied, at the -moment this measure was taken, that future punishments would have -corrected any erroneous opinions regarding the true motives that had -induced so generous and politic a proceeding. - -The situation of affairs at the period stated was such, that though -there could be little doubt of the ultimate success of Government even -under the violent course it pursued; yet that did not appear likely -to be attained, if extremes were resorted to, without bloodshed. His -Majesty's regiments at Hyderabad[61] and Travancore would be, if a -contest was precipitated, in the utmost danger; and if the combat -between our European and native troops had once commenced, feelings -would have been instantly engendered, the dreadful action of which no -man could calculate. That these results were averted, was owing to a -variety of causes, very little, if at all, connected with either the -foresight or vigour of the Government of Fort St. George. - -But, passing over what was likely to be the probable results of the -desperate extreme to which the Government of Fort St. George had -resort, (though it is by a consideration of these results that the -merit of my suggestions should be tried,) let us contemplate what -has occurred, from the most favourable issue that could have been -anticipated. The officers of the coast army must long continue to feel -that degradation which they have endured. Years must elapse before the -action of this feeling will cease to produce disunion and discontent in -that establishment. But these are comparatively light considerations, -as all questions must be, connected with a body of men over whom -we must always have such strong ties and efficient control as the -European officers of our armies in India. It is the firm allegiance -and continued obedience of the natives of which the strength of those -armies is composed, which forms by far the most important principle -in our government of this great Empire. This can never be denied: and -it is as true, that in that almost religious respect with which the -sepoy of India has hitherto regarded his European officer, consisted -what has been always deemed the chief link of this great chain of -duty and obedience. That link (as far as relates to the sepoys of the -coast establishment)[62] has, if not broken, been greatly shattered -and impaired. A temporary object of importance, no doubt, has been -gained by a sacrifice of one a thousand times the value of the object. -The dignity of the local Government of Fort St. George has been saved -from an imputation of weakness, by a measure which threatens the most -serious danger to the future safety of our whole empire in India. An -evil, for which there were many and certain remedies, has been averted, -by incurring one, the progress of which (from its character,) cannot be -calculated; which is, from its nature, irremediable; and of which we -know nothing, except that it is efficient to our destruction. - -The Government of Fort St. George appear resolved to withhold the -expression of their sense of that benefit which the substance of their -dispatch obviously shows flowed from my observation and conduct. Sir -George Barlow, through his secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, to -me, under date the 12th of July, states, that, "_in consequence of -the information which I had communicated_" _from_ Masulipatam, he had -ordered the assembling of a considerable force near Madras; and it is -to this precautionary measure, adopted upon my information, to which -the Government of Madras ascribes in a great degree the success of its -subsequent proceedings: and it seems also to have entirely escaped the -recollection of the Government, that if I had not, by my exertions, -reclaimed the garrison of Masulipatam from their design of marching to -join the Hyderabad force, and prevented from the 4th till the 22d of -July their committing any outrage, that a great part of the army would, -during that eventful period, have been precipitated into a rupture -before the Government had time for executing any plan for the defeat -of their designs. I do not mention these circumstances with a view of -claiming any merit from my exertions at that period; but to show that -the same principle, which led to an unfounded insinuation against my -character, has caused an omission of every fact that could bring my -services to the favourable notice of my superiors. - -I shall resume my narrative, and state shortly what share I had in -the transactions at Madras, from my return from Masulipatam till the -arrival of Lord Minto at that settlement. - -I have already stated that Sir George Barlow directed me, before I -went to Masulipatam, to write the draft of a letter to the commanding -officers at Hyderabad and Jaulnah, and had approved of what I had -written. I had carried a copy of that draft to Masulipatam, and had, -on my first violent discussion with the officers of that garrison, -adduced it as a proof of the moderation and temper with which the -Governor had acted. In a short period, however, it appeared that no -such document had reached Hyderabad, and I was exposed to the charge -of intended deception. I addressed a note to Colonel Barclay the day -after I arrived at Madras, stating this fact, and begged that he would, -by his answer, enable me to repel such a charge[63]. I received the -following reply, dated Fort St. George, 28th July 1809. - -"DEAR MALCOLM, - -"I have just received your note of this date. I recollect perfectly -well, that before your embarkation for Masulipatam you put into my -hands, to be delivered to Sir George Barlow, a paper in the form of a -draft of a letter to be written to Colonel Montresor, on the subject of -addresses from the Hyderabad subsidiary force. I delivered the paper -according to your desire. I know that Sir George Barlow did not approve -of it; and I believe that no letter of the nature of it was sent to -Colonel Montresor. - -"I remain, &c. &c. -(Signed) "R. BARCLAY." - -Greatly surprised at this answer, I wrote the following note: - -"DEAR BARCLAY, - -"There must be a mistake, as the draft I gave you was written, by -direction of Sir George Barlow, from a memorandum now in my possession, -which I had read to Sir George not half an hour before, and of which -he at that moment approved, or he would not have desired me to put -it in the shape of a letter. I beg the nature of the request I made -in my note of yesterday may not be misunderstood. I am aware Sir -George Barlow, when he asked my opinion on the question of the reply -to be made to the representation from the Hyderabad force, might, -even if he approved my suggestion at the moment, be led by a thousand -considerations to alter his sentiments before the tappal[64] was -dispatched; but as I sailed for Masulipatam under the impression -that no change had occurred in his opinion, and made use of the -information I had upon the subject, to satisfy misguided men that they -were in error regarding his disposition towards them, and by doing -so have subjected myself to a charge of _intended deception_, I was -naturally anxious to clear my character from this imputation; and the -circumstances were evidently such, that it appeared in my mind I would -be enabled to do so without the slightest embarrassment to either you -or Sir George Barlow. If, indeed, I had not been satisfied of this, I -should never have written, at a moment like the present, upon such a -subject. Your note conveys no idea but that I had, without any previous -communication with Sir George Barlow, sent a draft of a letter to him -through you, of which he disapproved; and so far from answering the -object for which it was solicited, could make no impression but that my -assertions were founded on an ill-grounded presumption of my possessing -an influence over the judgment of Sir G. Barlow. _This, you must be -aware, is exactly opposite to the circumstances of the case, as I have -stated them to you at the period of their occurrence_; for I told you -it was by desire of Sir George Barlow I gave you the draft. - -"I have felt it due to myself to say so much, but am not desirous a -word more should pass on the subject. I trust it never has and never -can be supposed, that I could either in word or deed do any thing that -could occasion the slightest embarrassment upon any question, much less -upon one of so personal a nature. - -"Yours sincerely, -(Signed) "JOHN MALCOLM." - -To this communication I received the following more satisfactory reply: - -"DEAR MALCOLM, - -"I have been so busy for the last two days, that I could not refer to -the answer which I wrote on the 28th ultimo to your letter of that -date, respecting the draft of the letter which you gave me for Sir -George Barlow previous to your embarkation for Masulipatam. - -"I now find that it is not mentioned in that answer that you had -prepared the draft at Sir George Barlow's desire, after a long -conversation with him on the subject; _but I recollect perfectly well -that you told me so when you gave me the draft_. - -"I remain, &c. &c. -(Signed) "R. BARCLAY, -"M. S." - -"Fort St. George, -1st August, 1809." - -This trifling but irritating circumstance confirmed me in the -resolution I had taken regarding my own conduct. I had come from Bombay -with the intention of joining my station at Mysore; but I had received, -when at Masulipatam, a letter from Lord Minto reappointing me to -Persia; and I had, since I reached Madras, been directed by a letter -from his Lordship, under date the 15th of July, to await his arrival -at that place. With such orders I could only offer my service as a -volunteer to Sir George Barlow; and I had little encouragement to do -that. He had, it is true, at the interview I had on the 27th, expressed -in a cold manner his wish that I should go to Mysore; but that wish had -never been repeated: he had made no further communication to me since -my return; nor had I even been required to give that information which -he knew I possessed. Under such circumstances, I felt that it was my -duty to obey the orders of the Governor-General, and not to intrude my -voluntary services when they were evidently not sought. In consequence -of this determination I addressed a private letter to Sir George -Barlow on the 1st of August; in which, after explaining very fully the -sentiments by which my conduct was regulated, I offered the following -observations on what had passed, and what might be expected from the -measure he had adopted: - -"You are no stranger to that enthusiasm with which I embarked in the -present scene: and, whatever has been my success, I am assured that -you are satisfied I have not been deficient in zeal in the exertion -of my humble endeavours to reclaim my brother officers to temper and -to the path of duty: and I indulged, to the very moment of my arrival -at Madras from Masulipatam, a hope that this great object of your -solicitude would be effected without having recourse to coercive -measures; or at least that a great proportion of the officers of the -Company's army (including almost all who had weight and influence with -the men) would be recovered, and that the early submission of the rest -would have been a certain consequence of the return of their seniors to -their duty. - -"The highly criminal violence of the force at Hyderabad, which is -known to the whole army to be guided by weak and wrong-headed men, -has unfortunately precipitated a very different issue to that which I -was so sanguine as to expect. That force has declared that they speak -the sentiments of the whole, or at least those of a great proportion -of the Madras army; though it is evident, at the moment they made -such an assertion, they could not have received an answer from any -station to that absurd paper which they term an _Ultimatum_, which -they have had the audacity to forward to Government; but which, I -conscientiously believe, would, if it had been publicly promulgated, -have been disowned and disclaimed by great numbers of the senior and -most respectable officers at every station in the army. I can speak -positively with regard to some, indeed all of the senior officers of -the garrison of Masulipatam upon this subject, and they have lately -been considered as the most violent of the whole. I am far from meaning -(such meaning would, indeed, be as contrary to that high respect I -have ever entertained for your character, as to the duties of my -situation) to offer even an opinion on the wisdom and policy of that -step which Government has lately adopted with the Company's officers -of this establishment. The test these were required to sign was, as -far as I understood it, a mere repetition of the obligations of the -commission that every one of them held; and the only rational objection -that could be made to it by men who were devoted to their duty, and -who had never deviated from it in thought, word, or deed, was, that -it was unnecessary; that it was, with regard to them at least, an act -of supererogation, and one that had a taint of suspicion in it. These -were, indeed, the feelings that passed in my mind when this paper was -first put into my hands; but they were instantly subdued by a paramount -sense of public duty; and I signed it to show (as far as my example -could show) my perfect acquiescence in a measure which the Government -I served had thought proper to adopt: but I am satisfied it was not -the terms of this paper which led the great majority of the Company's -officers both in camp and at the Mount, and in the garrison, to refuse -their signatures; it was the manner in which it was presented, and the -circumstances by which the whole proceeding was accompanied. The minds -of the most honourable, and of those most attached to Government and -to their Country, revolted more at the mode than the substance of the -act: they felt (perhaps erroneously) that they were disgraced, because -the manner in which their consent was asked showed they were not in -the least trusted: and this was, I am assured, one of the chief causes -of their almost general rejection of this proposed test of fidelity. -It appears to me of the greatest importance that you should be aware -of every feeling that this proceeding excited; and it is in discharge -of the duties of that friendship with which you have ever honoured me -that I have stated my sentiments so freely upon this subject. I am -very intimately acquainted with a great number of the officers of whom -I speak: some of them would, I am certain, have given their lives for -Government at the very moment they refused to give a pledge which they -thought, from the mode in which it was proposed, reflected upon their -honour; and others, who had unfortunately gone to a certain extent -in the late culpable and unmilitary proceedings, but who viewed the -criminal excesses of some of their brother officers with undisguised -horror and indignation, would, I am assured, if it had been possible -for Government to have pardoned what was past, and to have expressed, -in indulgent language, its kind intentions for the future, have -been the most forward in their efforts to punish those who, by an -unwarrantable perseverance in a guilty career, merited all the wrath of -the state: but, unfortunately, (though such an intention, I am assured, -never entered into your mind,) an almost general sentiment prevailed, -that it was meant the service should be destroyed by the first blow, -and that all were therefore included in one general mass, as just -objects of suspicion and disgrace. - -"I am far from defending such an interpretation of this measure -of Government; I have only stated what I consider to be the fact, -and explained, as far as I could, those causes by which I believe -it to have been produced: their operation is, I fear, now almost -irremediable, and events must take their course. I know (and my -personal conduct has proved it,) that my brother officers are deeply -wrong; and I am quite heart-broken when I reflect on the consequences -to themselves and country which the guilt of some of them is likely to -produce. I need not assure you of my sincere happiness at the success -which has hitherto attended the execution of the measure you have -adopted, and I anxiously hope it may meet with no opposition. I have -never doubted the success of this measure, if it was resorted to, as -far as related to the accomplishment of its immediate object; and I -most earnestly pray that my judgment may have deceived me with regard -to the collateral and remote consequences by which I have always deemed -it likely to be attended." - -The only reply I received to this communication, was by a note from -Colonel Barclay, under date the 2d of August, to acquaint me, that, -for the reasons I had stated, "Sir George Barlow would not press me -to go to Mysore, and that it was the Governor's intention to reply -to the other parts of my letter at more leisure." He never, however, -condescended to make such a reply, or indeed to honour me with any -subsequent communication whatever, either personally, or through the -medium of any of his staff: and an event occurred sometime afterwards, -which produced such irritation upon his mind, as to make him deny me -the common civilities due to an officer in my public station. Some -time after my return to Madras, an address[65] from the inhabitants -of Madras to Sir George Barlow was drawn up, and sent in circulation. -This address was said to have originated with a staff officer of rank. -None of the usual forms of convening the inhabitants had taken place; -and the mode adopted to obtain signatures was still more extraordinary -than this glaring departure from common usage. Gentlemen of the first -respectability in the civil service informed me, that when they had -testified an aversion to sign this address unless parts of it were -modified, they had received such plain intimations regarding the -consequences with which their refusal would be attended, as left them -in no doubt but that they must either sacrifice their opinions, or -bring immediate distress, and perhaps final ruin, upon themselves -and their families. Under these circumstances some had signed; while -others had actually absented themselves for days from their own houses, -to escape the painful importunities to which they were exposed. It -is necessary here to state, that almost all ranks were ready at this -moment to come forward with a public declaration of duty and attachment -to Government, and of their readiness to sacrifice their lives and -fortunes in its defence; but a strong objection was entertained by many -to that part of the circulated address which cast reflections upon -that body of officers who had embraced the alternative of retiring for -a period from their duty, rather than sign the test which Government -had proposed. It was said, and with great truth, that at the moment -when Government professed its desire to reclaim these officers to a -more active allegiance, nothing could be more unwise and useless than -exasperating their minds to a sullen perseverance in error, by an abuse -of them in an address signed by a few civil and military inhabitants -of Madras; and that it was perfectly evident such an expression of -sentiment could only have the effect of widening a breach it was most -desirable to close, and of creating (by exciting discussion) further -dissensions and difference of opinion among those of whose devoted -attachment to Government there could be no doubt. Such were my own -sentiments regarding this address: and while I foresaw the mischief it -was calculated to produce, I could divine no possible good from its -agitation. It was sent for my signature, with the following note from -Colonel Leith: - -"The accompanying address is submitted to Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm -for his consideration, which, as soon as he is done with, it is -requested he will return to the bearer." - -To this I immediately sent an answer, as follows: - -"Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm returns the address to Lieutenant-Colonel -Leith. He has not signed it, for reasons very foreign to any want of -respect and regard for Sir George Barlow, or of duty, obedience, and -attachment to that constituted authority of his country under which he -is placed." - -I cannot recollect that I ever in my life took a step in which my mind -was more decided respecting its propriety, on every public and private -principle, than upon this occasion. I considered the address, both from -the irregular mode in which it was brought forward, the unbecoming -means resorted to in order to obtain signatures, and the expressions -contained in it, as an unwise measure, which had originated in that -spirit of undistinguishing violence which I conscientiously believed -had been the chief means of producing a crisis that this act was -calculated to inflame. It did not appear to my mind to be attended with -the slightest benefit, for it brought no new friends to Government: -and though it could not shake the attachment to the legitimate -authority of their country of any persons whose principles were fixed, -its tendency was to excite jealousy and division among those who were -most warmly attached to order and Government: and among these, however -actuated by a sense of public duty, it was natural that a difference -of _private opinion_ should exist. Some were, no doubt, more disposed -than others to approve violent and unqualified proceedings, or perhaps -less disposed to maintain that independence of mind which no man should -ever be censured for maintaining upon such points; otherwise addresses -of this stamp would not only lose their value, but become tests of -the most odious and invidious nature that a tyrannic Government could -invent, to degrade or alienate the minds of its subjects. - -I certainly was most reluctant to believe that this measure had Sir -George Barlow's sanction: it seemed to me of a character opposite to -all the principles and habits of his life: nor could I forget those -grounds which he had assumed when he recently refused to permit me -to frame an address of a very opposite tendency, and one that would, -in all probability, have prevented those evils which this seemed -calculated to inflame. I never was more surprised than when (some -days subsequent to my note to Colonel Leith) I was informed by a -confidential officer of the Governor's staff, to whom I mentioned what -I had done, and the reasons by which I was actuated, that the address, -from the first, had the Governor's complete sanction and approbation. - -In closing this subject, it may be necessary to state, that this -address, after all the unbecoming efforts that were used to obtain -signatures, had only fifty-seven names affixed to it; among which, -twenty-four only were civilians and inhabitants of Madras: the -remainder were officers of his Majesty's service, with a few of the -staff of the Company's army. If all those who did not sign it were -not actually considered as disaffected, they were deemed by those -whom this measure had formed into a party, as lukewarm in the public -cause. This species of injustice is too common to such times, to -afford any individual a right of complaint; but there should be a -difference between the momentary feeling of a violent party during a -period of commotion, and the deliberate sentiments of a public ruler. -I have already mentioned, that the crime of having presumed, though -in the most respectful manner, to act conformably to the dictates -of my own judgment on a question which was referred to me as a -private individual, subjected me, at the moment, to the loss of those -civilities from Sir George Barlow to which I had a right from my public -station; and I did not require the evidence I have now obtained, from -the publication of the letter from the Government of Madras to the -Secret Committee, to satisfy my mind that my character has since had to -war with all the weight that belongs to the influence and opinion of -Sir George Barlow: but, great as this odds may appear to many, it can -excite no apprehension in a mind fortified as mine is by a conscious -sense of never having deviated from the path of private rectitude, or -public duty. - -Though, subsequent to this transaction, all personal intercourse -between Sir George Barlow and me had ceased, I could not look with -indifference on the events that occurred; and when the mad desperation -of the officers of the two corps which marched from Chittledroog to -proceed to Seringapatam led to an action, I thought the opportunity -favourable to close this horrid scene in a manner every way suited to -the dignity of Government. I first communicated my sentiments upon this -point to Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, and afterwards ventured to address -the following note to Sir George Barlow, expecting that the importance -of the subject, and a consideration of former acquaintance and regard, -would at least obtain a pardon for such a liberty. - -"DEAR SIR, - -"I wrote a note to Colonel Barclay some hours ago, which he informed -me he sent to you for perusal. I have since received a letter from -Masulipatam, at which place they are between hope and despair; but -have refrained from further guilt, and mean to refrain, unless called -upon by those who have now, thank God! shown them an example of -returning to their duty. I am assured you will not blame that extreme -anxiety which makes me intrude, unasked, my opinion at a moment like -the present. I have, I am satisfied, the fullest information of the -real temper of this army at this present period; and, if I am not the -most deceived man in the world, there is an opportunity given, by the -conduct of the Hyderabad force[66], which enables you to combine the -immediate and complete settlement of these afflicting troubles with -the advancement of the reputation, power, and dignity, of Government. -I am aware of the very deep guilt into which almost all have gone; -some in intention, others in act: but the force at Hyderabad, who, -since the 1st of May, have been the cause of all the present evils, -and who lately insulted Government with demands, are now supplicating -clemency: a dreadful[67] example has occurred in Mysore, which will -make a lasting impression on both officers and sepoys, of the horrors -to which such illegal combinations lead. If it were possible to close -the scene here, an impression must be made that will for ever prevent -the repetition of such crimes; and the effect of shame and contrition, -which the clemency and magnanimity of Government must produce, will -have more effect upon the minds of liberal men than twenty examples. -Men's minds will be at once reclaimed, and they will be fixed in their -attachment by a better motive than fear. But this is not all. The -officers at Hyderabad, like those of other stations, act at the present -crisis entirely from the impulse of passion and feeling; and they fly, -as I have witnessed, from one extreme to another, with a facility that -is not to be credited by persons under the influence of calm reason. -Such persons can never be depended upon, whatever pledges they make, -while any strong causes of agitation remain: and no act, therefore, -which does not embrace the whole, can give that complete security and -tranquillity which is the object of desire. If a single question of -irritation and inflammation be left, it is a spark which may again -create a general explosion. - -"You will, I am assured, pardon this communication. Nothing could -have induced me to the freedom, but a conviction that this is one -of those happy moments when all the dangers that threaten us may be -dissipated. If you can, on the grounds of your granting that clemency -to supplication, which you never would to demand; of military justice -being satisfied, and the army lessoned, in the dreadful example that -has been made in Mysore; and of your thinking it not derogatory, at -such a moment, to grant a general amnesty, and to bury the past in -oblivion: desiring all those who mean to perform their duty to join -their corps, and those who do not, to consider themselves out of the -service; and proclaiming every man a traitor, and liable to immediate -military execution, who opposes legal authority one hour after the -receipt of this order, I will answer with my life for the immediate -re-establishment of the public authority on more secure grounds than it -perhaps ever rested. Such an act as this will, I am assured, while it -advances the fame and dignity of Government, raise your own reputation -in the highest degree; and you will receive, as you will merit, the -blessings of thousands, with the applause of your country. - -"I have perhaps already said too much upon this subject; and I could -adduce many more equally forcible reasons to those I have urged; but -I shall not trouble you further. If you think the suggestions I have -offered worthy of any attention, I shall attend you, and state them. -With regard to the success of this measure I cannot have a doubt. If -all did not immediately submit, they would be completely disunited: and -those that ventured to oppose (if there were any such), would be the -proper objects for example. - -"I am, with great respect, -"Your obedient servant, - -(Signed) "JOHN MALCOLM." - -The receipt of this note was not even acknowledged; and it was, of -course, the last communication I made to Sir George Barlow. When Lord -Minto arrived at Madras, I laid every part of my conduct before him. -I gave him every information I could regarding the actual state of -affairs; and submitted with freedom my sentiments of those principles -which should govern his final judgment on the important points that -remained for his decision. He expressed no dissatisfaction at my -conduct; he thanked me for my information; and though he differed with -me in many of the opinions I stated, he did not condemn me for that -difference: on the contrary, he appeared pleased with the liberty I -took in offering my advice with such boldness and freedom. The whole -of the manner, as well as the substance of the conduct, which this -able and virtuous nobleman observed towards me on this occasion, had -the effect of reconciling my mind to further exertions in the public -service; from which, I confess, it was, before his arrival, much, -if not wholly alienated. I had been employed, as I have shown, in a -confidential manner, without being trusted. I had been deputed on -a delicate and arduous mission, and recommended to pursue a system -which mixed firmness with conciliation, while it proposed to reclaim -by reason more than by terror; and before any time was given for the -operation of the measures I had taken, a new course was adopted, -grounded _on coercion_ alone: and because I had not by inspiration -divined that such would be the ultimate result, I now discover that I -have been most unjustly censured, as disappointing the expectations of -the Government: and it has been insinuated (a direct charge would have -been too bold) that I acted contrary to orders. I trust I have refuted -every charge of this nature: and if some should continue to think I -have committed errors; none, I am assured, can accuse me of crimes. Let -it be recollected that I was placed, throughout all the transactions -I have described, in a most painful and difficult situation. I had no -prescribed or distinct duty to perform; I was called upon by Sir G. -Barlow to exert, in the manner I thought best adapted to the end, all -the influence of my character to reclaim men with whom he thought I had -great weight; and he appeared for a period to give me his confidence, -and to trust implicitly to my discretion and judgment. I was all -along sensible to the full danger of the situation in which I placed -myself; but was too earnest in the cause to attend to prudence: and -I may conscientiously add, that I never was more assured of meeting -approbation from Sir George Barlow than at that moment when I found -myself estranged from all share in his confidence, and treated with -the most pointed neglect. But I had myself to reproach. I should -certainly have foreseen that my efforts would have been useless, when -combined with a system of measures to which they bore little or no -affinity; and I was (I must confess it,) wrong in supposing, for a -moment, that my advice, or any arguments I could adduce, could, under -any circumstances, permanently divert the Governor of Fort St. George -into a course that mixed feeling, and consideration for human failings, -with the established maxims of his ordinary rule. I should have known -better; and in fact I did, as my letters[68] before I went to Madras -prove: but, when on the spot, my heart conquered my head, and I tried -an impossibility: but I never shall regret the attempt, nor blush for -having recommended principles of action that are congenial to the best -feelings of human nature, that are calculated to make Government an -object of rational attachment, and to give the mind a generous pride -in submission and obedience; and which, so far from being of dangerous -example, and subversive of order, are familiar in the practice to every -free state, and have never been rejected in the most despotic, when -such have been governed by great and wise rules. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[40] These were the persons who fabricated those reports that were -circulated and believed by numbers, respecting promises of aid and -support from the officers of Bengal and Bombay. - -[41] _This fear of being thought afraid_, is, perhaps, of all motives -of human action one of the weakest, though it wears a mask of boldness, -and under that is often productive of infinite mischief. - -[42] I thought so at that period, though I have been since convinced I -was mistaken. - -[43] Sir George Barlow not only thought so, but must, from the Governor -General's letter to the secret committee of the 12th of October -1809, have conveyed the same impression to Lord Minto. The merit of -foresight will not assuredly be claimed as one among the talents that -were displayed by the Governor of Fort St. George upon this memorable -occasion. - -[44] See Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm's letter to General Gowdie, in the -Appendix. - -[45] Lieutenant Maitland, the dismissed quarter-master, was ordered -to command the marines; and Lieutenant Forbes, who had been banished -to Condapilly, was directed to proceed to relieve an officer of the -regiment on duty at Prince of Wales's Island. This second punishment -was a torturing revival of those wrongs, of which not only the parties, -but all the officers of the corps, had before, with some justice, -complained. - -[46] Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay afterwards returned me the original -note. - -[47] The following paragraph of a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel -Montresor to Lieutenant-Colonel Doveton, dated Secundrabad, the -10th July, 1809, is a proof of the light in which this measure was -viewed, and the use made of it to reclaim the most violent to duty -and submission.--"When the address was forwarded from Jaulnah, the -officers could not have known that the Government of Madras had taken -such steps as were most likely to quiet the public mind, in consequence -of the unpleasant state of affairs at Masulipatam. Lieutenant-Colonel -Malcolm, whose sound sense, knowledge of the army, and conciliatory -manners, peculiarly qualified him for the difficult task of allaying -the ferment in the northern division of the army, has already arrived -at Masulipatam, and a committee has been ordered to inquire into the -late occurrences, composed of three officers among the most popular -in the army: therefore I am sure the officers of Jaulnah will see the -bad effects of forwarding an address, at this moment, of any nature -whatever, as it could only tend to add to the irritation of the public -mind." Vide printed Correspondence, No. 2, page 35. - -[48] Two days after I went away, and when no event had occurred of any -consequence, he was persuaded (as has been before shown) to commence -the plan for placing the native corps under check of his Majesty's -regiments, and the orders were sent to Hyderabad for the march of the -2d of the 10th to Goa. - -[49] Instead of sending this letter, the order for the march of a -battalion from Hyderabad to Goa, in prosecution of the plan for -dividing the sepoy corps, was sent two days after my departure, and -provoked (as was, under such circumstances, to have been expected) open -resistance and rebellion. - -[50] This irritating and imprudent order (which has been before -noticed) was sent to Hyderabad a day or two after I sailed; and the -same influence that obtained the adoption of this measure, prevented -the dispatch of the letter to the commanding officers of Hyderabad and -Jaulnah, which I drafted, and which Sir George Barlow at the moment -approved, and _assured me he would send_. - -[51] The Major-General assured me of this fact. - -[52] Vide Appendix. - -[53] All the letters from this officer to me while I was at -Masulipatam, are in the printed Correspondence. - -[54] One of the chief objects for which this proceeding was recommended -and adopted, was to gain time. - -[55] See Appendix. - -[56] Vide Appendix. - -[57] See a copy of that order in the Appendix, in a letter to Sir -George Barlow, dated 5th July. - -[58] See Appendix. - -[59] I always thought, and always must think, that there is a wide -difference between the seditious combination of a body of officers -and a mutiny of soldiers, and that the two cases require a distinct -treatment. With the latter there can hardly be two modes of proceeding; -with the former there may be various, and all equally safe. They may -be restored by the influence of reason, and subdued by the operation -of their own feelings. Their minds may be reclaimed by many modes that -could not be applied to their men; and there is, in the worst extremes, -a character in their opposition that admits more of the application -of such remedies than the mad and instinctive action of a mutinous -soldiery. These two cases were certainly confounded at Madras; and most -of the evils that arose may be imputed to the fallacy of treating a -seditious combination of officers as a mutiny of soldiers. - -[60] The danger that had been incurred was sufficient to authorize -Government to take the most decisive measures to guard against the -revival of such combinations against authority: and though numbers who -might have merited punishment had escaped, _not one object of benefit -to either individuals or the army at large had been attained_; and it -is therefore quite extravagant to assert such a termination could ever -have tended to encourage future proceedings of a similar nature. - -[61] The account of what occurred at this station on the day General -Close made the noble effort he did to carry the orders of the -Government of Madras into execution, shows the desperate hazard that -was incurred. If, says an officer of high rank, during the period that -between four and five thousand troops were in a state of mutinous -violence and uproar, "one musket had gone off by accident, not a man of -his Majesty's 33d regiment would have been left alive, and a general -massacre of almost all Europeans would have been the most certain -result." - -[62] No consideration of this question can be local or limited. If a -successful example of disobedience or rebellion was exhibited by our -native troops on the Madras establishment, its baneful effects would -not be limited to that part of our possessions. - -[63] I spoke to Colonel Barclay before I wrote upon this subject, -and he said he would show my note to Sir G. Barlow, and obtain me an -answer that would vindicate my character from the charge to which the -Governor's change of resolution had made me liable. This circumstance -left me without a doubt that the cautious reply I received from that -officer was by the direction of Sir G. Barlow. Indeed, I was satisfied -that this excellent and respectable officer, for whom I have always -entertained the same sentiments of esteem and friendship, never acted -in any part of those transactions, in which his name appears, _but by -the specific instructions or orders the Governor_. - -[64] Post. - -[65] See a copy of this in the Appendix. - -[66] The officers of that force had signed the test. - -[67] It was considered, at the moment when this note was written, that -almost the whole of the two corps from Chittledroog had been destroyed. - -[68] Vide letters to Lords Wellesley and Wellington, pages 64, 65. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - - No. I. - - _Copies of Letters from Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM _during his Stay at - Masulipatam_. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -Masulipatam, 4th July, 1809. - -DEAR SIR, - -I arrived here early this morning. Nothing can be worse than the state -in which matters were. Major Storey seems a weak man, and the garrison -was commanded by a committee of violent spirited young men. They -deliberated, after my arrival, on the measures they were to pursue; -and were at first, I am assured, disposed to resist my authority: they -next made a demand of an act of amnesty for all late proceedings in the -garrison of Masulipatam. This, I told them, it was quite impossible for -me to grant; that a regular military proceeding had been instituted, -to inquire into late proceedings; and that I could declare, it was the -intention of Government to order a court martial to try any person this -court thought ought to be tried; but I could say no more. They had, I -found, pledged themselves most deeply to resist Government, to almost -all the stations in the army[69], and had received the strongest -assurances of support from Hyderabad; and I believe a movement towards -that quarter was intended in a day or two. The public avowal of their -determination to resist Government made them feel reluctant to relax -their opposition; and their fear of suffering for what has past, -rendered them quite desperate. They, however, after a conference of -some hours, became more reasonable, and professed their obedience to -my authority, and their acquiescence in the inquiry that had been -ordered. I issued the general orders, and directed the instant release -of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes from arrest. I saw him. He is no doubt a -very good, but he is a weak man. He feels naturally very indignant at -what has passed, but will be moderate in his conduct. I could have had -no idea of the length to which matters have proceeded, before to-day. -An organized opposition to Government was to have commenced as the day -after to-morrow; and, in the present temper of men, I know not if that -event can be avoided. Nothing can be so unfortunate as the occurrences -of the mutiny here, as numbers have been hurried into guilt, from -which they see no escape but in all being equally involved. This is a -melancholy state to have minds in. I have certainly succeeded in making -them abandon their violent measures for the moment; but a relapse is -to be apprehended; particularly as it would appear difficult, if not -impossible, to tranquillize them by an act of amnesty. What am I to do, -in case of an extreme? The combination is general. Excuse this hurried -note. I have not a moment. - -I am, with great respect, -Your obedient servant, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -Masulipatam, 5th July, 1809. - -DEAR SIR, - -I wrote you a hurried letter last night. I have since come to the -knowledge of many additional facts, and have had some time to reflect -on what I have seen and heard; and I should be as wanting in my duty -to you as to my country, if I was withheld, by any motive whatever, in -stating my sentiments in the most undisguised manner on the present -state of affairs: and whether you coincide in my opinion or not, you -can have no doubt regarding those motives that lead me to express, in -that sacred confidence, which your knowledge of my character authorizes -me to use, the conviction of my judgment on the steps necessary to be -taken upon the present unfortunate crisis. - -I have now seen the concerted plans of almost the whole of the army -against the authority of Government; and can say, with almost an -assurance that I am correct, that there is not one Company's corps, -from Cape Comorin to Ganjam, that is not implicated in the general -guilt, and that is not pledged to rise against Government, unless -what they deem their grievances are redressed. Be assured, that no -commanding officer, whatever they may write, has any real authority -over their corps[70]: and though in some places (where there are King's -regiments) they are more guarded, their resolution is the same; and -they mean to act, the moment the example is shown by those parts of the -army whom they consider as most likely to be successful in their first -efforts. The Hyderabad and Jaulnah force are chiefly looked to, and the -northern division of the army; and the European regiment has, from what -they style its regimental grievances, become the corps from which they -expect the first act of opposition. Its late proceedings are applauded -and confirmed by the force at Hyderabad: and I know it was intended, -if there had been the slightest indication of any coercive measures, -or even had the Commander-in-Chief arrived, to have marched this corps -and the two sepoy battalions in the division to effect a junction -with the Hyderabad force, in order to organize an army to commence -hostilities with Government. Their march was to have taken place as -to-day; and it was, for five hours after my arrival, a subject of warm -discussion, whether I should be recognised or not as their commanding -officer? And, after stating every thing a man could state to reclaim -them to better feeling, I was obliged to give them the choice of the -extreme, of either immediately submitting to the order of Government, -or of opposing it. They chose at last the former; but placed it on the -grounds of that general respect which was paid by them, and all their -brother officers, to my character. I did not think it necessary to -fight regarding the grounds of their obedience on this point, being -satisfied with the substance, and particularly as I had received this -proof after they were informed of my sentiments and intentions. Though -an immediate open rebellion against Government has been prevented by my -arrival at Masulipatam, the danger is not past; and we must not deceive -ourselves, or any longer evade this serious question. The officers of -the Company's army on the coast are no doubt at this moment in a state -of actual insurrection against the Government; and this combination -against authority is every moment maturing and spreading wider. I have -seen the letter[71] from the Bombay army to that of the coast, and it -is unqualified in its condemnation of the orders of the 1st of May, -and its promise of support. Several private letters have been received -from Bengal. An address from that army, to the same effect as that of -Bombay, is expected: at all events they appear certain that no human -power will lead the Bengal troops to act against them. They calculate -upon opposition from the King's army, and their plans are concerted to -meet it. These deluded men are aware of the ruin they are bringing upon -themselves; but their infatuation is so great, that they are reconciled -to their ruin, in the expectation that it will equally involve that -Government against which their rage has been so industriously and so -successfully excited. All attempts to reason with men in the state -of mind they are in, appears vain. Even the circulation of the able -letter from Bengal is, as I apprehended, likely to inflame, instead -of appeasing their passions. It is so true, that when men's minds -have gone completely wrong, that which ought to put them right has, -in general, a direct contrary effect: and the fact is, that all -those correct principles and loyal feelings, which are so eloquently -expressed in the letter from the supreme Government, but serve to -impress them more forcibly with a sense of that guilt into which they -have so precipitately rushed, and to render them more desperate in -their proceedings, as they can (after what has passed, and particularly -late events at this place,) only see individual safety in all being -equally involved in the deepest guilt. I entreat you to be persuaded -that these sentiments are quite general; or, at least, that the few who -do not entertain them have neither the means nor the courage to oppose -their progress; and allow themselves, with an indefensible passiveness, -to be borne along with the tide. Under such a state of circumstances, -all hopes of this spirit of insurrection subsiding must be at an end. -Some steps must instantly be taken; and no good can result from the -application of any partial remedy. The disease is general, and the -remedy must be so also. It remains with you to decide on the measures -that are to be adopted. The first and most military, though not, -perhaps, the most political, that suggests itself, is the employment of -actual force. In such a contest, however, not only the means must be -calculated, but the result; and, as far as I can judge, success, even -in this extreme, would not save us from the most baneful consequences. -It seems therefore not wise to have resort to such a measure, till -every other that it is possible for Government to take, without the -annihilation of its own power and dignity, has been tried and failed. -Unqualified concession to the demands of the army, either in dismissing -public servants of Government, or in rescinding its orders, would be -a virtual resignation of its power, and cannot therefore be made. It -would, indeed, be better and more honourable, if _matters were at the -worst_, that Government should fall by any hands than its own. Should -Government not resolve on having immediate resort to force, one line -only remains that could at the present moment afford a rational hope -of the necessity of having recourse to that extreme being avoided, or -at least of its being resorted to with advantage; which is, to meet -the crisis at once, by a general order to something of the following -purport: - -"Government finds, with concern, that it can no longer indulge that -sanguine hope which it once entertained, that the irritation which -a variety of causes have combined to produce in the minds of the -Company's army on the coast would subside; and as it is satisfied that -the evils which must result from the existence of those combinations -against its authority, that are now formed in almost every station, -will, if suffered to continue, be as injurious to the public interests, -as if those by whom these proceedings are carried on were in a state -of open hostility to Government; it feels compelled to anticipate -every extreme that can occur, and to publish to the army at large the -final resolutions which it has adopted under this extraordinary and -unparalleled situation of affairs: and these resolutions will, it -is satisfied, be found to combine as much attention to the feelings -of the army as it is possible to show without a sacrifice of the -public interest, and an abandonment of the authority and dignity of -Government. The Governor and Council can and does make every possible -allowance for feeling so strongly excited as those of the officers of -the coast army have been, and is disposed to refer that great agitation -of mind into which they have been thrown by a concurrence of causes -which must greatly mitigate, if they do not altogether extenuate, that -degree of criminality which must always attach to such proceedings: -and, under such impressions, he can view their extreme solicitude -regarding those of their brother officers whom he has thought it his -duty to suspend the service, with that consideration which is due -to a highly meritorious body of officers, acting under the strong -impulse of warm and honourable, but mistaken feelings. And with such -sentiments he cannot deem it derogatory to Government to state, that -he intends, in the full confidence that the officers of the coast -army will abandon their present dangerous course of proceeding, to -recommend to the Honourable the Court of Directors the restoration -to the service of those officers, whose suspension, and the reasons -which led to it, have been reported to them, and who are consequently -the only authority by which that act can be repealed: and he can have -no doubt, but the earnest desire of their brother officers, combined -with the high character which most of the officers under suspension -formerly held, will induce the Honourable Court to overlook their late -conduct, and comply with this recommendation. Acting upon the same -principle, Government is pleased to appoint Colonel Bell to the charge -of the battalion of artillery at the Mount, and Colonel Chalmers to the -command of the subsidiary force in Travancore. Lieutenant Maitland is -appointed quarter-master of the European regiment of infantry. - -"The committee of inquiry ordered to assemble at Masulipatam is -repealed; and no act, either of any body, or of individual officers -in the Company's service, of which no cognizance has yet been taken, -and which occurred before the present date, will be made subject of -future notice, or even operate to the disadvantage of such body of -officers or individuals, unless they should, by a perseverance in -the same course, and a repetition of the same conduct, forfeit all -claim to such lenity and consideration at a moment when Government -has taken such steps to tranquillize the agitated minds of the army, -and to leave even the most mistaken without a plea for perseverance -in their present dangerous course. It must declare its positive and -final resolution neither to alter nor modify this proceeding. It -will yield no more to the entreaties or demands of the army: and if -any officers are so infatuated, and so lost to every consideration -of the public good and the general prosperity of their country, as -not immediately, on the promulgation of this order, to abandon their -present course of proceeding, Government must, however much it may -deprecate such an extreme, meet it with that firmness and courage which -becomes a constituted authority of the Empire of Great Britain. It -has contemplated this possible, though, it trusts, highly improbable -event; and the different officers entrusted with command are directed, -should any spirit of turbulence and insubordination appear among the -officers of the troops under their command, to punish the individuals -with all the severity of martial law. And should the operation of the -regular course of justice be impeded, either by a combination among -the officers or men, such will instantly be proclaimed rebels against -the legal authority of Government and their country; as Government is -perfectly satisfied that the public interests will receive more injury -from any effort to conciliate men who persevere (after what has passed) -in principles so opposite to the restoration of order and discipline, -than it even can meet from them as open enemies to their King and -Country." - -I am aware that a thousand objections may be made to an order of this -nature; but it must only be tried by the times; matters have arrived -at such a crisis, that something decided must instantly be done. There -is not an hour for delay. And what I have suggested is only the first -proclamation in a war that seems to me, even with this step, almost -unavoidable. If human means could avoid it, this act will; for it holds -out every motive that can incline men to good and deter them from evil. -It concedes, no doubt, in some points; but the case is urgent, and the -spirit of concession is corrected by the firmness and resolution which -is mixed with it. But your own mind will suggest every thing. I am, as -you know, devoted to the cause of my country. It will depend upon you -where I am to act, if matters draw to an extreme. I should prefer my -station at Mysore, as that in which I have most influence, and could, -in consequence, contribute most to the support of the public interests. -I cannot conclude without again entreating you not to allow yourself to -be lulled into security, and to be satisfied of the absolute necessity -of taking some steps or another to save the state from the imminent -danger to which it is exposed. But inaction, even dangerous as it is, -may be better than the commencement of a coercive system, before steps -have been taken to gain more friends to Government than it has at -present in the army: and I confess I can see no mode of doing this but -by a measure which is completely decided and final; and which, while -it grants every indulgence even to erroneous feelings, looks to the -close of this great question with a moderate and conciliatory, but a -firm and manly spirit. I shall be most anxious for your sentiments, -as soon as possible, on the line I am to pursue at this place. The -question of the marines, and the removal of some of the officers, had, -I find, (for they have shown me all their papers,) been anticipated by -the other stations; and the opposition here was in part by instruction: -and subsequent letters sufficiently show, that this case is no longer -that one, nor of the garrison of Masulipatam, but of the whole army; -and that they are most deeply pledged to the support of each other. -Indeed _there cannot be a doubt_ but the punishment of any one would -cause the whole to break out. This I feel it my duty to avoid, as well -as to prevent their marching, which was their intention, and which they -expect to be called upon to do, till I know the general line you mean -to pursue. - -I am, my dear sir, &c. -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -(_Private, and Secret._) -Masulipatam, 6th July. - -DEAR SIR, - -After my letter of yesterday I have little to add. I can only again -implore your most serious consideration to the whole question, and -your instant decision on the line that is to be pursued; not merely -here, but with the whole army. No half measures will at this moment -answer: and unless some effort is made to appease the minds of the -deluded officers of this army, you must make military preparations to -reduce them to order; and these must be directed against every station -under your Presidency: for though success may be various, an effectual -opposition will be made at all; and none are more violent than some -of those nearest the Presidency. If you adopt a measure of the nature -that I recommended yesterday, it should be _quite final_; and therefore -embrace every concession and act of conciliation _that you can make_, -without a substantial sacrifice of the dignity of Government. - -I can think of no improvement to this order, except you conceive -the great object of avoiding hostilities would justify the following -addition to it: - -"Government received a representation from a number of the officers -of the coast army, in which they solicited the equalization of their -allowances with those of the officers of the Bengal army. This is a -subject, the consideration of which must exclusively rest with the -Court of Directors, under whose notice this application will, _in -course_, be brought, and by whose decision it will be the duty of the -officers of the coast army to abide." - -This order, which is only a repetition of facts added to what I -suggested yesterday, would, I think, _if firmly acted upon_, completely -end the present agitation; or, at all events, you would only have a -part to combat instead of the whole. Every man who was not lost to -reason and loyalty would be recovered; and the few that resisted, if -any did, would soon be reduced. This mode of settlement would, it may -be stated, give a triumph to the army, establish a dangerous precedent, -and violate fundamental principles of the Indian Government: but it is -not principles, but an empire, that is in danger: and what other course -can be adopted? No man can calculate the consequences of a contest -between Government and its army. The delusion which prevailed, that the -officers would never proceed to extremes, is now completely dissipated. -I have read papers, from almost every division, calling upon this -garrison to commence opposition; and I, two hours ago, read another -paper from the Hyderabad force, approving of the proceedings of the -garrison at this place in the cases of the marines and Colonel Innes, -declaring it to be the cause of the whole, and promising full support. -I knew papers of the same kind will be received, as fast as the tappals -can bring them, from every station in the army, and that they are all -pledged never to let a man or officer of this garrison be punished for -a proceeding which they consider (and with truth) to have been caused -by the general state of discontent and turbulence in the army. The -garrison here are equally impelled to action by a sense of their danger -from what has passed, and a desire to obtain credit with their brother -officers for being the first to step forward in the common cause. My -authority was at first disputed; and they have subsequently tried, by -every means that men could use, to obtain from me promises of amnesty -and of inaction, in the event of their being forced to move at the call -of their brother officers. Such promises I have, of course, steadily -refused; and I have taken advantage of every moment to diffuse better -sentiments: but I should deceive you if I stated that my success went -further than to keep them quiet. For the moment they are quiet; and, -unless a movement is made by the Hyderabad and Jaulnah force, I think -they will remain so, till some general measures are adopted by the -whole: and I have (I hope not erroneously) considered, that to keep -them, by any means that do not compromise my own authority or that of -Government, from acting at such a moment, is an object of the greatest -importance; for if any one corps begins, there is no remedy but in a -war. If this was only a mutiny of the garrison of Masulipatam, it would -be an easy question, and I should be proud to hazard my life in an -effort to quell it to morrow morning: but one step, of any description, -taken in this affair at the present moment, would undoubtedly cause -a general rise in the army: and it is, I conceive, of ultimate -importance, that you should know and prepare for this great political -danger; and I have consequently laboured incessantly, and I hope with -success, to prevent its breaking out at this most inflammable of all -quarters. - -The officers here have written to other stations to know whether they -are to submit to the investigation of the committee. They were greatly -disappointed at my not coming up, as they first expected, with powers -to treat with them. They would, no doubt, have been highly flattered -at such a result to their violence; and I am assured I need not state -to you, that any mode would be less injurious to the interests of -Government, than that of its even entering (as it once did) into a -discussion with the officers of its army upon this great question. If -you think you have not means to reduce the officers of this army, or -if you should not like to resort to them, there is only one mode, that -of issuing an order, conceding all you can, without hazard to your -authority, then coming to issue in a bold and prompt manner. This, -though it may be thought a concession of some points, is still an act -of authority; and that character of the measure will maintain the -dignity of Government, which would be altogether lost in a negotiation -with its own officers. - -I am aware that the opinions which I have expressed are very different -from those you have heretofore maintained; but the case is altogether -changed. Steps of too bold a nature have been taken, for the officers -of the army to retreat; and they will immediately proceed, unless some -measure is instantly adopted to arrest them in their infatuated career -of guilt. The question has become entirely a practical one, and must -be tried as such, as much as if the country was suddenly invaded by an -enemy against whom we could use the means most calculated to repel him, -without any reference to general principles or to precedent. - -The fact is, that course has been tried and has failed, and another -must be resorted to; and measures must be taken, when the state is -in less danger, to infuse better principles, and to establish a more -efficient control over our Indian armies. - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -(_Most Private._) -Masulipatam, 7th July. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -You will hear the substance of my late communications to Sir George; -and you probably will not quarrel with the opinions I have given, -though others may, who think more of maintaining consistency upon -paper, than of practical Government. - -I have no fear now of this garrison doing any thing, unless other -parts of the army break out; and that will not, I hope, take place -immediately[72]. But something must be done, as the danger of leaving -them in this fermenting state increases every hour. They are, in fact, -afraid to retract: and shame, despair, and hope, combine to impel -them forward. I know they are hastening to their own destruction; but -is it politic to let them destroy themselves, even supposing that -operation did not hurt Government? Certainly not. And if that extreme -can be avoided by any measure which does not substantially affect the -authority of Government, it should be adopted. Let us look near this -bug-bear principle of consistency, at which some men are so alarmed. -The order of the 1st of May was intended to break up a desperate -conspiracy against Government, which was in progress. It effected the -object: and now that a conspiracy has got head of a more extensive -nature, are we not to use the means which seem likely to destroy it, -because they are of a different character from those used on the 1st -of May, and in some respect abrogates part of that proceeding? It is -assuredly the effect which should be our chief and sole object, and we -should quarrel with no means that do not _actually_ impair our strength -or injure our dignity. Those I have recommended would, I think, raise -both. - -Tell Sir George I am incessant in my endeavours to infuse better -principles. I talk with all; and can hardly myself believe the change -which has in some respects been produced. I have given them no -promises, I have made them no pledges; but I have told them I would -take no steps but in an open manly way, and that I expected they would -make no secret attempts against my authority. In this they acquiesced. -I have given them all my letters regarding this unfortunate crisis, -that to Doveton, &c. to read; and I have painted to them, in the -strongest colours, the horrors and destruction which must follow an act -of any open departure from their duty. The facts I have stated are not -denied by the few among them who have sense and moderation; but even -they declare to me, that they are pledged beyond the power of retracing -their steps. - -I wish some of those who are such resolute chamber-counsellors had gone -through the two first days I did with these poor misguided men: it -would have been a lesson during life. - -I thank God I have established, without any compromise or concession, -the authority of Government over men who had almost completely thrown -it off; and I am pleased at having done this in a manner that has led -those very deluded men to express gratitude for the consideration I -showed to their agitated feelings. I have referred every thing to the -wisdom of my superiors; and, happen what will, I can never have cause -for self-reproach. - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -Masulipatam, 8th July. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -The only thing I have seen to-day, is a letter from the committee at -Jaulnah, intimating their approbation of their proceedings here, and -their resolution to march the moment it became necessary to support -them. - -I saw a private letter from Hyderabad, stating that it was the general -opinion and wish there, that Masulipatam should not be abandoned, and -that two battalions and a regiment of cavalry would be sent to support -the troops of this division. They consider themselves pledged to show -me all papers; and they do so: but the fact is, that it is a new and -important feature in this conspiracy, that they no longer think any -concealment necessary. Some measures must instantly be taken with -these deluded men, and Government must go as far, the first step, as -it ever can go, to try and reclaim them. If little expedients or half -measures are taken, all will be confusion and trouble. Depend upon -it, the first King's corps that is moved, the whole commences. Their -private correspondence with Bengal is now very active. I am personally -here going on smoothly and well, and lose not a moment in giving better -impressions: but though this may calm for the moment, and dispose them -to receive any thing like a considerate decision, it will never stop -proceeding. - -P.S. Our little party of artillery is true; but it is the only party I -yet know that can be depended upon. - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -(_Most private._) -Masulipatam, 10th July. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -I shall be glad to see Sir Arthur's papers. When I wrote to Sir George, -and proposed that he should, along with every decided step, make some -_reappointments_, I, of course, meant to include several that I did not -mention by name: but if this principle is acted upon, Government cannot -be too large in their first order: any _thing little_ will spoil all. -Gentlemen who lose by these arrangements, should be declared, in public -orders, to have the right of succession to the first vacancies. - -There are more letters, advising Masulipatam to be kept: and in one -of to-day from the committee at Hyderabad, I find they are equally -public there in their proceedings; so I suppose you must have heard -from that quarter, no order for the movement of a corps in any of these -divisions will be obeyed, nor even the removal of an officer; so that -the necessity of some measures being adopted is quite indispensable. -Perhaps Sir George Barlow will wish to see me at Madras, with the -report of the committee; but this will be, perhaps, too great a delay. -Taylor or Irton should command this regiment. - -I saw a letter from Hyderabad to-day, written under a conviction that -the Bengal army had taken up their cause. This, I have told them, is -one of a thousand dangerous errors into which they are led; but I do -not think they believe me, for they are completely infatuated. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -Masulipatam, 17th July, 1809. - -DEAR SIR, - -I have this moment received a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay -of the 12th instant, from which I observe, that you deem it impolitic -to adopt any measures of the nature I suggested in my letters of the -5th and 6th July from this place. If I did not consider the present -as one of the most serious crises that ever this Empire was placed -in, I certainly should not again intrude myself upon your notice; but -I feel bold in the consciousness that I am performing a duty of the -most sacred nature; and you will, I am assured, pardon the earnestness -with which I solicit leave to be allowed to report to you personally -the result of the proceedings here, and of all I have seen or heard -connected with the general combinations in the army, as well as those -means by which I think it may be averted, or its objects (if it does -occur) in some degree defeated. It is quite impossible for me to convey -to you in any letter the extensive information I now possess upon this -subject; and I should only be four days in going to Madras, and could -return, if required, with equal celerity. Little time would be lost by -my making this journey; and I feel satisfied its result might be of the -utmost consequence to the public interest. - -Major-General Pater will be here the day after to-morrow; and no -inconvenience would result from the want of a high military authority: -but I would not, of course, proceed, if he thought there was any urgent -call for my remaining here. But such a trip would, I am assured, tend -to calm, instead of irritating men's minds, as they would suppose I had -gone to make a full representation of all that had passed, all that I -have observed. - -I entreat you to pay attention to this earnest request: and if you do -that, you will order Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay to station bearers as -far as Ongole. I shall lay them to that place, in the confidence that -your kindness will not deny me this opportunity of endeavouring to -promote the public interests by important communications. - -I beg you will not conceive that I am so presumptuous as to hope to -change any of those principles you have laid down for the government of -your conduct: but I am convinced I can give a detailed information that -will be useful, under every aspect which the present danger may assume. - -I am, with respect, -Yours faithfully, -(Signed) J. MALCOLM. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809. - -DEAR SIR, - -I wrote last night, to request you would allow me to post to Madras -with the proceedings of the committee, which I expect will be closed -about the time I get your answer. I am most solicitous that you -should comply with my request. There are circumstances connected with -what has taken place here, of a nature too delicate but for personal -explanation: and there are points not only relating to what is likely -to be done by the deluded officers of this army, but to measures which -Government may adopt to counteract their designs, that I feel satisfied -I could give you the most useful information. - -Should any circumstances lead you to deny my request, I hope, if -you contemplate extreme measures, that you will early place me in -a situation where I am conscious I can, under all circumstances, be -useful on the largest scale to Government. I mean at my station of -Mysore. The army of that state is strong, and can be increased at a -moment to any number; and I hope you will consider that at its head -(should any serious misfortune occur) I am in my proper place. Here, -after I have executed the objects of my mission, (which I understand -to be, to prevent men rushing into open rebellion, and to make inquiry -into the causes and reasons of what had passed,) I am only a regimental -officer at the head of a corps, with the officers and men of which I -can have no more influence than any other commanding officer would -have. There is a general officer commanding on the spot, and the senior -officer in the division. - -I have already done all it is possible to do in disseminating good -feeling among these deluded men; but they are lost to reason; and, -except one or two, and those of little influence, they appear (such is -their delirium) to desire the occurrence of that crisis which must end -in their ruin. - -I entreat you not to think that it is from any doubt of the power of -Government that I am so anxious for some measure that will prevent the -evils that are impending: it is from a near contemplation of all the -horrors of the scene that is about to occur, and a conviction that both -humanity and policy require every effort to be made, to save a brave -and meritorious class of men from destruction. - -If any path was opened by which men led away by a false sense of -honour could retrace their steps, I believe numbers would return to -Government. If nothing is done, and measures of a serious preparation -or actual coercion are taken, no human power can prevent the occurrence -of the most shocking scenes: and the name and reputation of this army -will, whatever is the event, be lost for ever. - -You will, I am sure, make allowances for my feelings: they are -communicated only to you. I am distressed and unhappy to an extent I -cannot describe; but I, of course, maintain a different tone to those -infatuated men under my command, from whom I have not concealed my -sentiments with regard to the destruction they are bringing on their -own heads. - -General Pater is expected to-morrow. It will now be his duty to report -the state of this garrison. I shall intrude no more upon this, or any -subject connected with it, until I have the honour of seeing you, which -I trust will be at an early period. - -I remain -Yours faithfully, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -I last night received your letter of the 12th instant, and am most -happy to learn that Sir George Barlow approves of my first proceedings. - -I expect that Berkeley and Evans will be here the 21st or 22d; and -it is my decided opinion no investigation should be made till they -arrive. This inquiry must be considered by the whole army as a regular -military proceeding: and the impression made by the appointment of such -a committee would be lost, if I was to execute its duties: besides, the -delay is trifling. If Sir George adopts no measure which supersedes -the object of this committee, I should wish to be authorized to carry -the report to Madras. I will travel Dawk; and can, if required, return -in the same way. General Pater will be here; and Berkeley can, if -necessary, be appointed to the temporary command of the regiment; -if Taylor[73] is not brought down, _which I think he ought_, from -Vizagapatam. Believe me it is of the utmost consequence I should -personally communicate with Sir George Barlow upon the whole of this -important subject. - -I am glad Sir George Barlow has placed it at my discretion to pardon, -if I thought it necessary, the non-commissioned and privates of this -garrison: but no circumstance short of an open attempt to throw off -my authority can ever lead me to think of such a step, as it would -immediately drive to despair the European commissioned officers, on -whose temper and moderation depends, at this moment, the allegiance of -almost all the officers of the Company's army on the coast: for _one -line_ from this garrison would, to my _positive knowledge_, at this -moment spread the flames of mutiny over the peninsula. - -Under such circumstances, of what consequence would even a triumph -over a few officers at Masulipatam be, supposing that certain, unless -you were prepared for contest every where? I will never abandon my -authority, or fail in the performance of my duty; but I never shall -(_unless positively ordered_) take any step that I conceive likely to -involve my country in a civil war. Such an extreme it must be the wish -of Government to avoid as long as it possibly can. Nothing, indeed, can -justify its commencement, but the total failure of every possible means -to prevent its occurrence. - -The present combination of the officers of the Company's army against -the Government has hardly a feature common with an ordinary military -mutiny; and therefore the principles that would apply to the one, are -by no means applicable to the other. It is not the reduction of a corps -or garrison to order and obedience, but the reclaiming a large body of -men to their attachment and allegiance to the state they serve, which -is the object; and this never can be done by partial measures, whether -these are of a lenient or a coercive nature. - -I have no doubt but Government would ultimately triumph in the -contest, if it commenced this moment; but it would be a triumph over -its own strength: and the occurrence of such a rupture must produce -consequences that will shake our Indian Empire to its base. - -From the progress of the present agitation I fear Government will -not have much time for consideration[74]: and it should always be -recollected, that in a crisis like the present every thing depends on -the moment at which measures are adopted; and the same act which would -be successful to-day, would perhaps totally fail of producing the -desired effect if adopted a month hence. - -You will satisfy Sir George Barlow, that one of the first things I did, -after I came on shore, was to satisfy the minds of the officers, and, -through them, of the men, of the intentions of Government in ordering -a party of marines from the corps: and you will see by the enclosed -extract from my journal[75], that I took the first _good_ opportunity -that offered, of stating this fact in the most public and impressive -manner to the whole regiment. - -I am most anxious to hear from Sir G. Barlow, subsequent to his receipt -of my letters of the 5th and 6th instant, as my mind is in a state -of the most distressing anxiety. I have, however, to support me, the -consciousness of having fulfilled my duty to him and to my country. - -Yours ever sincerely, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - -P.S. I am again ordered to Persia by Lord Minto. When will this life -have an end? - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -Masulipatam, 18th July, 1809. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -A most violent letter was received from the committee at Hyderabad -yesterday, abusing the garrison for suffering me to enter, and desiring -my instant removal, unless I promised that the orders of the 1st of -May should be rescinded. I have had a dreadful struggle all day; but -they are at last moderated in some degree. Their present resolution -is, to wait two days; but as I mean to commence the inquiry to-morrow, -agreeable to the authority I have from Sir George, I trust they will -agree to-morrow to remain in their allegiance till the result is -known. I shall finish it in four days; and probably, if General Pater -acquiesces, carry it myself to Madras. I beg you will post boys as far -as Ongole. I shall return, if necessary, instantly; and I can lose -nothing by the journey: and the information I shall have it in my power -to give, will be of ultimate importance under every resolution Sir -George takes. - -Yours ever, most truly, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - -TO SIR GEORGE BARLOW. -Masulipatam, 19th July. - - DEAR SIR, - -I wrote a short note to Colonel Barclay last night, informing him -of the change that had taken place here, in consequence of the -communication received by the officers of the garrison from the -different committees of the other stations, and particularly that of -the Hyderabad force, in which they were instructed to call upon me -for an instant assurance that the orders of the 1st of May would be -rescinded: and, if I refused to give it, to throw off their allegiance -and obedience to Government; and they were assured their example would -be instantly followed by every corps in the service: and part of the -Hyderabad force was, they were told, ready to march to their support. -The ferment which the receipt of those letters occasioned is not to be -described. - -I sent for some of the senior officers, and communicated my sentiments -regarding the irretrievable step this garrison was on the point of -taking; and pointed out, in the strongest colours, all the horrors -to which it would lead. I told them I must proceed to do my duty -if I found any rash resolution was taken, and that it would prove -the commencement of the most horrid and unnatural contest that ever -occurred. The truth of my arguments were admitted by some of those -to whom I spoke; and their efforts, after a great struggle, calmed -the minds of the others so far, that they agreed to wait for six days -further. This, I stated, was nothing. It was, in fact, better to come -to issue at once. That it had been my intention to have proceeded (in -consequence of authority I had received from you) instantly into the -inquiry of past transactions; and that I had meant, if I had thought -there was no fear of this garrison throwing off its allegiance while -I was absent, to have gone to Madras, and made this report in person; -but, if their sentiments did not alter, I could not carry that -resolution into execution. They stated their belief that the officers -of the garrison of Masulipatam would be most reluctant to refuse assent -to any proposition of mine that did not go to detach them from that -general cause to which they had sworn to sacrifice their lives; and -that though they knew, from what had passed, that I would give them -neither promises nor pledges, nor even communicate my opinion of the -probable measures of Government, they hoped there would be no objection -to my proceeding; and a pledge would be given, that unless other parts -of the army moved, or threw off their allegiance, that the garrison -of Masulipatam would remain dutiful and obedient till I returned to -communicate the resolution of Government, or till that was intimated -through some other channel. - -I have considered it of great importance to delay that open opposition -to which this garrison has been excited by every station in the army, -as I was certain, under whatever circumstances it might occur, it -would be the signal for the whole to throw off their obedience. The -garrison here is not more than 1,100 effective men (exclusive of the -artillery); and if an effort had been successful to detach the men -from their officers, who are, to a man, combined against Government, -it would not have prevented the explosion; it would but have increased -that despair and madness which are impelling men to these acts of -disobedience: and no partial benefit that could have arisen, would -have counterbalanced the general effect of this measure. Besides, I -cannot speak with confidence of the success of this attempt: the _men -even_ of this garrison have been already debauched from their duty; -and as it has been hitherto my object to reclaim the officers to their -allegiance, and at all events to delay the execution of their plans, -it was incompatible with the success of such a line of conduct to -attempt to sound their men, or to make any private efforts to shake -their attachment to their officers. Such attempts would have produced -an instant open mutiny: and this, for causes before stated, I was -anxious to avoid. Besides, such an expedient would have been baneful -to the service, and was not to be resorted to while a hope remained of -reclaiming the officers to a sense of their duty. - -I hope these reasons will satisfy you of the wisdom of the part I have -taken; and you must see, that unless I wish to precipitate the general -revolt of the whole of the Company's army, I could not, if I remained -here and waited your answer to my report, take any steps with the men -to secure their fidelity: and I shall (if it is your wish I should) -return to this command with your final orders, as strong, and probably -stronger, in influence, (as coming direct from the seat of authority,) -as I should have been, had I remained till your answer was received. - -There is little chance of any thing occurring when I am away, as most -stations look to this; and the result of your proceedings on the report -I make will be awaited. Thus the Government will gain time, which, -under every plan you can mean to pursue, must be an advantage to you, -and a disadvantage to those combined against your authority. Their -insanity is at this instant at its height; and every moment that action -is delayed, reason has a chance of operating. Besides, their committees -are likely to differ in opinions; and this is a proof of weakness some -of them already begin to discover. - -I have not lost a moment, as I will show you by my journal, and letter -book, when I arrive, in disseminating correct sentiments, and in -exposing to them in the boldest manner the true nature of that deep -guilt on which they are rushing. - -I have drawn their attention to a very different picture of the dangers -and ruin that will attend their perseverance in this course from what -they have hitherto contemplated; and though the proceedings have -brought a thousand calumnies upon my head, I know great effect has -been produced in the quarters where it is most essential; among the -senior and thinking part, whom it has been my object to rouse; as I am -satisfied, if extremes are resorted to, they will command the men. - -When to all the reasons I have stated for my proceeding to Madras -immediately, (that is, in three or four days from this date,) is added -the advantage you may receive from the very extensive information I -can give you of the temper of the army, and of their general plans -of combination and action, I cannot but anticipate your approbation -of this step. At all events, you must be satisfied nothing but a -conscientious conviction of its being essential to the public interests -could have led me to take it without your previous sanction. - -I am, with respect, -Yours faithfully, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - -P.S. I have, since writing the above, seen some of the senior officers, -who assure me that they and their brother officers are as jealous -of my honour as they would be of their own; and that if I think it -necessary to go to Madras, they will pledge themselves for the orderly -and dutiful conduct of the whole till my return, unless in the very -unlikely case of other stations rising in arms, which they will do -every thing in their power to prevent, by representing to them the -pledge they have made, which they will assure them is voluntary, and -has been made without the slightest promise from me. I have, indeed, -cautiously avoided any communication that could lead them to believe I -entertained an opinion that Government would make any concession; and -the same language is held, in the private letters I have communicated -to them, with regard to the actual situation of the army at this moment. - -I feel now much more assured of the continued subordination of this -garrison during the period of my absence than if I was present. - - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARCLAY. -Masulipatam, 21st July, 1809. - -MY DEAR BARCLAY, - -An account has just arrived of the opposition of the 2d of the 10th -to obey the orders of Government. This has caused little sensation -in the garrison, and is not expected to be followed by any movement -at Hyderabad; and I feel confident now, that nothing but one of the -divisions marching will make this deluded garrison stir a step further. -I shall be with you on the 26th. I wish I could fly, as I am assured I -can give Sir George Barlow the most complete information regarding the -whole character of this wide disaffection. - -Yours sincerely, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - - _Private Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM _to - Lieutenant-Colonel_ MCLEOD, _dated Masulipatam, 20th July, 1809_. - -DEAR MCLEOD, - -I have received your kind letter of the 8th instant; but fear your -hopes of my success will be disappointed. The voice of passion is alone -heard; and every man that speaks with temper and reason is condemned -and calumniated. - -The crisis, in fact, if not arrived, appears now near at hand, when -every officer in the Company's service must determine whether he will -maintain his allegiance to the Government he serves, to his King -and Country, or decidedly throw it off; and assuredly there is no -individual who claims a title to any spirit of independence, who will -not exercise his judgment upon a question which must so deeply involve -all his future prospects and happiness. - -If ever there was a moment in which it was important for men to look -at those consequences which are likely to ensue from one step more in -their course, it is the present; and it is assuredly worth while to -pause for a moment, and examine coolly the nature of our grievances, -and the length we are justified in going to obtain redress of them, and -the probable consequences to ourselves and to our country of throwing -off our allegiance to the state. - -There were accounts by the last dispatches that the existence of -grievances in this army was already a topic of public discussion. -General McDowall and Colonel Capper have no doubt arrived before this -in England, and they would be soon followed by Colonel St. Leger, -and the other suspended officers. Is it not evident, that, with all -the aggrieved parties in England, the public records which must be -transmitted there, and the voluminous private correspondence which -every ship, since those transactions took place, has carried home, -that every one of the topics of complaint will be a subject of warm -discussion; and will not the agitation they have created in the army -be brought fully forward? And have we not reason to conclude, from -all these circumstances, that an early settlement of these questions -will be made by those authorities, by whom they must at all events -be ultimately judged, unless this country should permanently throw -off its allegiance and obedience to England? As far as we can judge -from the past, there appears reason to anticipate a fair and liberal -decision from the controlling authorities at home, who have certainly -hitherto judged questions of this nature with great attention to both -the feelings and the interests of the Indian army. With this prospect, -can we be justified in resorting to such desperate extremes, because we -are discontented with the acts of a temporary local Government, and not -only involving ourselves in ruin, but injuring, in the deepest manner, -our country, at a moment when it is the duty of every man, who has a -spark of patriotism in his breast, to support her against the numerous -and powerful enemies by whom she is assailed. - -But we proceed, it is said, in the certainty that Government must see -those evils, and that it will give way, in order to avert them; and -that, indeed, it has no power, if it wished, to oppose our spirited -and united demand of a full redress of grievances. Let us examine -those points. Government may see great evils in our resistance of -its authority, but it may perceive still greater in yielding to the -peremptory demands of an armed body confederated for the purpose of -intimidating it into concession. It is the extreme of the pressure, -in cases of this nature, which too often causes the resistance; and -as to its power of opposing any attack upon its authority, it is -perhaps much greater than we at this moment calculate. There can be no -doubt of the fidelity of all the King's troops to Government. It has -a large body, not less than ten thousand disciplined infantry, four -thousand horse, and sixteen thousand peons, belonging to the Mysore -Government, all perfectly at its devotion: and it will, whenever a -rupture takes place, gain, through the influence of some of the older -officers, many of the native battalions. It will raise more troops. -It will be compelled to promote officers from King's regiments; to -give commissions to serjeants; to raise young men at once to rank, and -reward with promotion all who leave their brother officers before a -certain date: after which, those in arms against its authority will be -proclaimed rebels; and their men, both Europeans and natives, tempted -to desert and betray them by every inducement and encouragement that -can be offered. All the means of Government, whatever they are, will -be organized and regular; and with such it will probably triumph: but, -alas! its triumph will be over its own strength. It will be in the -destruction of those who are its support and glory; and, as such, must -be ten times more mournful than the most signal defeat from a foreign -enemy. - -Let us view the other side. When men had once passed the Rubicon, and -commenced opposition to Government, what would be their plans? They -must be settled by distant and probably divided committees: and every -young officer would feel, in such a situation of affairs, a right to -examine the actions of his superiors: and could any man, under such -circumstances, when the chain of discipline was broken, rely on the -order and fidelity of his troops? What could be offered to induce them -to resist the temptations held out by Government? And if they did not -desist, would they be equal to encounter the army of the state? But -say they are superior; that they were led on to victory, and all our -mad passions were gratified: at what point would we arrive? Could we -expect our King and Country to receive us again into favour, when our -hands were red with the blood of British subjects, that we had led -and assisted the natives of India to shed? And could we expect those -natives would allow a few officers to continue their rule over them, -after they had been taught to contemn the authority and slaughter the -soldiers of the British Government? But it is stated, that we have -gone so far, that to retreat would be to expose ourselves to shame -and degradation. Gracious God! What an argument is this? Would men, -recollecting themselves on the verge of guilt, and stopping, under -the action of loyal and patriotic motives, in a career to which they -had been led by strong feelings of injury, be subject of reproach or -disgrace? Would it not raise their reputation higher than ever, and -entitle them to look for a redress of their grievances, with a proud -confidence, to that Country to which they had so strongly proved their -attachment? Could it fail of exciting feelings even in the local -Government, which must lead to those very conciliatory acts, which will -be in vain expected, if sought with the bayonet? - -This is the picture which presents itself to my mind of the scene now -before us. I contemplate it with horror. And you may judge my present -feelings, when I declare to God, that though I must part with those of -my brother officers who are so deluded as to rush into an open warfare -with the Government they serve, and their Country, I shall, I am -satisfied, be happier if I fall by the first ball that is fired in this -horrid and unnatural contest, than if I lived to see it terminated. - -I see no possible mode in which the impending evils can be averted, -but by the action of the good and loyal feelings of the majority of -the officers of the army; and of this action I do not yet despair. I -must, indeed, to the last continue to hope that this noble spirit will -show itself, and snatch us from the gulf of destruction. I am now busy -with an inquiry into past proceedings at this place, with the report -of which I shall proceed in a few days to Madras; and may God grant -my efforts may be useful in averting the shocking calamities that are -impending! - -At all events, I shall have fulfilled my duty to my brother officers, -to Government, and to my Country; and that reflection will, under every -event, be a consolation during my existence. - -I am yours sincerely, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - -N. B. An extract from a letter from Hyderabad, dated the 12th of -August, 1809, from Lieutenant Watson of the artillery, to Major -Morrison, at Madras, will show the effect this letter produced among -the most violent at that station. - -"In these troubled times it requires the full exercise of a man's -judgment upon a question which must so deeply involve all his future -prospects and happiness. Colonel Malcolm has written at this crisis a -very able and elegant letter, to which a liberal consideration, I am -happy to say, has been given." - -And the following passage from a letter lately received from -Lieutenant Little, at Madras, conveys a testimony, which, though -probably exaggerated, is a strong corroboration of this fact. - -"You may recollect, during the late unhappy disturbances at this -place, having wrote a long letter to Colonel McLeod, pointing out the -melancholy consequences that would finally ensue if the army continued -to persist in their opposition to Government. A copy of this letter was -sent to Captain Carfrae, at Hyderabad, and by him shown to the force; -the greatest part of whom, a short time afterwards, declared to Major -Agnew, that they were chiefly influenced by this letter to sign the -test of obedience to Government." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[69] I have not complete evidence of this fact. - -[70] This chiefly alludes to the officers of the corps. - -[71] This was afterwards discovered to be a forgery. - -[72] I mean not in two or three weeks. - -[73] Taylor is an excellent _steady_ officer, has great weight with the -regiment, (particularly the men); and _though_ he signed some papers, -is, I feel satisfied, true to his country and the Government. - -[74] There are two distinct measures now in progress; one, _an appeal -to Bengal_; and the other, _a plan_ to obtain, by operation of a -combined nature, if they cannot by remonstrance, the repeal of the -orders of the 1st of May. - -[75] I sent Colonel Barclay a copy of my speech to the regiment on the -15th of July; and yet _I am accused_ by the Government of Fort St. -George of not making this communication. - - - - - No. II. - - _The_ JOURNAL _of Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM, _at Masulipatam, - from the 4th to the 22d of July 1809_. - - -_4th July._ Landed from the Victor sloop of war at 10 o'clock A. M. Was -received by several officers, Major Storey, Captain Andrews, Captain -Cotgreve, and some others, at the pier-head. As I went in at the Fort -gate the European sentry stopped me, apparently to take my sword, but -was ordered to desist by one of the officers. As I went to Captain -Andrews' quarters I showed the orders appointing me to the command -of the regiment and the garrison, as well as those for the military -committee. Captain A. said he hoped I would not insist on taking the -command, in the situation affairs were then in. I said I must, and -desired the fort-adjutant to be sent for, to publish the orders. After -we arrived at Captain A.'s house we were joined by several officers. -Among others were Major Hazlewood, 24th, Captain Kelly of the 19th, -and Messrs. Forbes, Nixon, and Lieutenant Spankie, of the European -regiment. A long, desultory, and warm discussion took place, in which -I stated all those arguments that I thought could moderate their minds -and bring them to a better feeling. I particularly insisted on the -consequences that must attend any of those desperate measures they -had intended; and entreated them not to rush into a course which was -likely to be so ruinous to themselves, and to have such dangerous -consequence to their country at a moment when every man should feel -it his duty to die, rather than promote, by any act, the designs of -her numerous and implacable enemies. I called to their recollection, -that the inquiry that was instituted was quite of a military nature, -and such as they had themselves required; and that to oppose my -authority, or to object to this investigation, was at once to declare -war with Government. I added to this declaration an assurance, that -no proceeding that was not in consistence with military usage would -result from the investigation. Their answers were, for the first two -hours of this discussion, made under the strong influence of passion. -They had already, they said, taken their line: they knew they had gone -too far to retract; and they were certain of support from the whole -army, to whom they had pledged themselves. They had first expected, -they said, force would be employed; and their preparations had been -made in concert with the Hyderabad force to meet that emergency. They -could, they said, show me the plan. I replied, with great warmth, I did -not desire to see it. Such were my feelings, that I would not for the -world have the guilt of such knowledge upon my mind. They recounted -at great length, and with much heat, all the grievances they shared -with others, and those that particularly related to the European -regiment, which had been, they said, calumniated and stigmatized; one -officer removed, and another banished, without a hearing: and when -they remonstrated, they were told from head-quarters they _were to be -disbanded_: and, after this communication, they were driven to mutiny -by a large party (100 men) being ordered, professedly as a punishment, -to act as marines on board his Majesty's ships. I told them, I was -aware that much misrepresentation had taken place, and they might -have some reason to complain; but the merits of the case could never -be known without a full and temperate investigation: and it was on -that account the committee was ordered, _even before the Government -insisted on the marines embarking_[76]. They had therefore, as a body -of officers, their choice, either to recognise my authority and allow -this proceeding to take its course, or to place themselves at once -in opposition to Government: there was no medium. They wished me to -promise an amnesty for all that had been done here; or, at least, that -I would recommend one. I said I would do neither; I would do my duty, -and what I was ordered. I had thought it, I added, no departure from -my duty to speak to them in the manner I had done, and should be happy -if any thing I had said brought them to reason and reflection. They -retired to another room; and I was informed by Major Hazlewood, that I -had wrought such a change in them, that he hoped they would abandon the -violent resolution they had taken. - -They soon returned, and said they had done so, and submitted to my -authority. Government had, they said, by the act of selecting me, -taken the only step that could have stopped for an instant the course -of operations which they, in concert with the whole of the Company's -army, had resolved instantly to commence, in order to obtain redress -of their intolerable grievances: and they desired me to understand, -that it was consideration for a brother officer, who held that high -place in their esteem, which he did in that of the whole army, that -induced them to lay aside for the present all their schemes, and -to yield him their obedience: and, as a proof of the truth of this -sentiment, they declared I was the only officer of rank in India they -would have admitted into the garrison; and that it had been resolved -to have shut the gates on the Commander-in-Chief, had he arrived, as -was once expected. I was too well satisfied with the substance of -their submission to authority, to quarrel about the form of it. I -instantly ordered the sentries to be taken off Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes, and waited upon that officer, who I found (as was to be -expected) much irritated at what had occurred: but I discovered, from -his communications, too much cause for those excesses that had taken -place. He is, I make no doubt, a good and a conscientious man; but -his imprudence, combined with the impressions he brought from Madras, -and the unguarded private communications he has since received, and -made public, from a very high authority, were calculated to goad men -into mutiny in common times, and could not fail of producing that -effect at a moment like the present, when the whole of the Company's -army is in a state of open disaffection to Government. I explained to -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes the reasons that had led to my appointment, -and advised him to be moderate and guarded, which he promised me he -would. - -I dined this evening with the mess of the regiment. There were a great -number of gentlemen of other corps present. Their usual toast of "the -friends of the army" was given with three times three, and I joined in -it, with an observation, "that it was a very general toast, as I was -assured it included most men both in India and England." After we had -sat some time, and had a number of songs, a gentleman sung a sea-song, -in which the expression "common cause" was frequently repeated. This -was caught at by some of the younger officers, who were heated; and, -at their motion, the whole rose to drink the "common cause." As I -could not mistake the meaning they attached to this toast, I felt for -a moment embarrassed, but, rising and filling a bumper, I immediately -repeated, in as loud and as warm a manner as I could, "_the common -cause of our Country_;" and my amendment was received and drank with -acclamation. I soon afterwards left their table, and heard, as I -retired, my health toasted with three times three. Thus closed the most -anxious day I ever passed in my life. May my efforts be successful in -reclaiming these men from the errors into which they have plunged! - -_5th July._ I had a visit from several of the gentlemen I saw -yesterday, at Mr. Savage's Gardens, (my place of residence). They seem -yet to be uneasy and unsettled in their minds. They showed me several -papers from different stations in the army, by most of which they were -called upon to act instantly, and with a decided spirit: the strongest -assurances given them of support and co-operation. Arrack for the -Europeans had, I found, been sent to Gundoor, the first march towards -Hyderabad; and every thing was prepared to move as to-day. They again -repeated their wish for some general assurance of not suffering for -what had passed; and this was accompanied by some hints on the line -they might be forced to pursue regarding me; though they expressed -the concern with, which they would have resort to such an extreme. I -smiled, and said, they could not expect, from the knowledge they had of -my character, that any motive on earth would ever induce me to deceive -them, or to evade my duty; that to give them a promise of amnesty that -I was not authorized to give them, would be deceit; and to be deterred -from doing what I conscientiously thought my duty, from any fear of -consequences, was, they must be satisfied, altogether unworthy of that -reputation I had hitherto supported. They went away (after showing -me some further papers, which they had just received, of the same -character I had seen before) apparently satisfied with my answer. They -communicated to me a report that had been drawn out of my conversation -of yesterday, which they meant, they said, to send to Hyderabad, &c. -and begged I would correct it, lest they should have misstated any of -my observations. I thanked them for their candour, and corrected the -paper; the circulation of which appeared to me calculated to do good. - -The senior officers in this garrison are impelled to throw off their -allegiance from a consciousness of having already gone too far, and -seeing their only hope of individual safety in all being equally -involved in the deepest guilt; while their juniors are flattered by the -importance which they obtain in times of anarchy and trouble, and see -nothing but distinction in being the first to step forward in what they -deem the general cause of the army. I have written Sir G. Barlow my -full sentiments on the present unprecedented and alarming situation of -affairs. - -_6th July._ I went into the Fort to-day, and saw the regiment under -arms. I also visited the hospital and barracks. I had afterwards a -long and serious conversation with an officer (A.), who spoke not his -own sentiments, he said, but those of the garrison, when he entreated -from me a pledge that I would not oppose any proceedings this garrison -might feel itself forced to take, in co-operation with other parts of -the army. I smiled at this proposition, which, as I told the gentleman, -required a concession which it was altogether unworthy of me to make; -and that the gentlemen who had desired him to make it would be sensible -that it was so, if they gave it a second thought. I added, "I shall, -however, put your minds at rest, if you will put mine." I will take -no step relative to the officers of this garrison, except in a fair, -open, manly manner; and I expect, in return, they will make no secret -attempts, or underhand efforts, to injure or oppose my authority. He -went away, after assuring me that he was convinced what I had stated -would give satisfaction, and that the officers under my command -would be solicitous to show me they were deserving of that temper -and consideration with which I treated them. I spoke to a number of -officers to-day, and circulated a number of my private letters among -them. This mark of confidence would, I knew, please; and the sentiments -expressed in these papers were calculated to bring them back to reason -and reflection. I wrote again fully to Sir George Barlow. - -_7th July._ I went early into the Fort. From conversations I had with -several officers, I found that I had succeeded in my efforts to -restore the temper of the garrison; that they felt grateful for the -moderation which I had shown; and some were sorry they had been so -warm in their expressions at their first interview. I saw this day -a communication from Hyderabad, and one from Jaulnah; both of which -forces were prepared to support the garrison in the event of their -acting in opposition to Government. - -_8th July._ Nothing particular occurred this day. Some further -communications from the westward were shown to me; one of which -strongly recommended Masulipatam being kept, and not abandoned; and -a force of two battalions of sepoys and one regiment of cavalry were -promised to support the garrison, and the corps of the district, all of -whom they appeared to think would join. I entered at great length this -day into the whole subject with M. H., who, I knew, was in intimate -communication with all the senior officers, and had some influence -even with the junior. I pointed out to this officer what must be the -consequence of the whole or any part of the Company's army plunging -down that precipice, on the brink of which they were now standing. -I exposed the falseness of that confidence on which numbers were -proceeding; how they would be deserted by their brethren and their -men, when Government was compelled to declare them in rebellion. I -pointed out how wretched their means, how unconnected their plans; and -demanded, if even they had double the numbers, if he thought, after the -chain of discipline was once broken, and when they were commanded by -committees, and every boy thought he possessed the right to question -the authority of his superior, whether it was possible to oppose -the organized army that must, under all circumstances, remain with -Government, and which must every day gain strength from their ranks? -The whole of the king's army was, I said, decidedly with Government: -and if the last step was taken, many of the Company's officers, and -those probably who had the most influence with the native troops, would -range on the side of authority. I knew this, I said, to be fact, -because I had letters, fully expressive of their sentiments, from some -of the best and most popular officers in the army. I was myself, I -said, of that opinion, and proud to state it. I had been in this army -since I was twelve years of age; and such was my regard for my brother -officers, that I would give my life to see the present unfortunate -disputes happily adjusted: but if any circumstances whatever led these -officers to rise in rebellion against their King and Country, and such -they would do the moment they threw off their allegiance to the legal -constituted authority in India, I must stand in the opposite rank: -and I was convinced so many would be found of the same sentiments, -that Government must triumph, though I allowed such a triumph would -be one over its own strength, and consequently more mournful than -the most signal defeat from a foreign enemy. I added, that I would, -for the sake of argument, suppose, what I conceived impossible, that -Government was destroyed in the conflict, what would be the consequence -of this victory to a few officers who had led the natives of India to -the murder of their countrymen and to the destruction of the British -Government? Would these natives allow them to live and rule over them? -Or would they not be tempted to practise, for the last time, the lesson -they had been taught, and get rid at once of a race whose rule they -had been taught to consider as oppressive and tyrannical? Supposing -they did not, would the King and people of England be ready to make -peace with men whose hands were red with the blood of their countrymen? -Would they not rather, if they did not abandon this quarter of India -altogether, attempt its reconquest? And to what consequence would that -lead? You say, I added, that your grievances are intolerable, and that -if you abandon your attempts to obtain redress the coast army will be -disgraced, while, if you persist with firmness and spirit, Government -(which must be aware of all the consequences I have stated) must give -way. To this I answer: No grievances of the description this army now -has, can warrant its having recourse to arms, because they are such -as must come under the cognizance of the controlling and legislative -authorities in England, who are alone competent to notice and redress -them: and this army, so far from being degraded by a moderate -proceeding at a moment like the present, would raise its reputation -higher than ever; because it would prove to all the world that it -possessed a spirit of the highest loyalty and patriotism; and that when -a variety of circumstances had combined to throw it into a flame, the -action of these feelings had subdued every other, and it was contented -rather to suffer, till the superior authorities in England could judge -all those questions on which it thought itself aggrieved, than endanger -the general interest of the country. Would such sentiments, I asked, -redound to the disgrace or to the honour of this army? With respect, -I observed, to the probability of Government giving way, if assailed -with unanimity, firmness, and spirit, there was, I feared, a great -and dangerous error. Government could not give way, as it was termed, -beyond a certain point, without destroying itself; and it had better -fall by any hands than its own. It was the very pressure, I added, that -was brought against it, that forced it to resistance: and, besides, -what were the points which it was required to yield? In the present -agitated period of the army, every committee, every individual, had a -different opinion; and if it were possible to collect the general sense -of the army, I believe, in their present irritated state, concessions -would be required that would amount to the virtual abolition of the -existing local Government of this Presidency. It was no doubt, I -observed, the duty of Government to take every step that it could take -with dignity to restore temper, and to compose men's minds; but I, for -one, would never blame it for refusing its consent to its own death; -and such I should consider any act that made a substantial sacrifice -of its strength or authority. From the answer of the gentleman to whom -these observations were made, I could perceive that he and many others -had been led on from step to step, without contemplating the extreme -which was now so likely. It was also evident that the younger part of -the army were no longer manageable: they had run away with the rest, -who considered themselves too deeply pledged to retreat; and they -appeared afraid of the instant obloquy that was cast on every person -who withdrew himself. - -_9th July._ As this was Sunday I went to a dressed parade of the -regiment, and afterwards visited the hospital and barracks. Nothing -particular occurred to-day: all the officers I saw seemed to have -returned to good temper; and I can have no fear of this garrison -breaking out into any extreme unless the example is given by other -parts of the army. - -_10th July._ I went early into the Fort. A singular instance occurred -to-day, to show how little men reflect whose minds are in a state -of agitation. I was told, before I went to the Fort, that accounts -had been received of every thing in Madras being in a state of -confusion, and that some great event had happened there. When in the -Fort, the letter that gave rise to this belief was shown me. It was -dated Hyderabad the 5th July; and said a letter had that moment been -received from Madras reporting the confusion which had arisen at that -place; and stating that his correspondent, no doubt, "had heard of the -remarkable event that had occurred to give rise to it." The moment I -saw this communication I pointed out the date; and observed it was -an evident allusion to what had occurred at Masulipatam on the 25th -June, which had reached Madras the 30th; and the bustle it created -had been termed confusion, and sent round again, _via_ Hyderabad, to -Masulipatam. This was so clearly the fact, that the only astonishment -that was left, was how it had not struck somebody before. By letters -from Hyderabad it appears they make no secret of their proceedings. -One corresponding officer writes, who says he had received a most -extraordinary communication, from good authority, that the officers -of the Bengal army had sent in a Memorial to Lord Minto, praying the -removal of Sir G. H. Barlow. I laughed at this unfounded assertion, -and assured the person who told me, it was one of a thousand reports -circulated to inflame their feelings and mislead their judgment. They -have received great confidence from the address of the Bombay army[77], -which promises their warmest support in any measures they may take in -consequence of what they deem the unjust and arbitrary order of the 1st -of May. - -By a letter from the committee at Hyderabad received to-day, this -garrison are advised to defend Masulipatam if they can. A junction -is proposed at Ongole or Condapilly. From the former station being -mentioned, it would appear as if a forward movement upon Madras had -been contemplated by some of the most violent. - -_11th July._ I was with the officers of the regiment almost all this -day, and dined at the mess, of which I have become a member. Our dinner -was pleasant, and like that of a private party of gentlemen. I have -been particularly pleased to observe, that although they communicate -to me in confidence when I require it, no officer of the garrison ever -begins, when I am present, any conversation on the present situation -of the army; and when I speak to them upon it (as I frequently do), -they are much more moderate than they were. I have seen some of the -principal natives of this place, and find the events of the 25th -ultimo caused a very serious alarm, which was not dissipated before my -arrival. The defenceless inhabitants ascribe more influence to me than -I possess, and think nothing wrong can occur as long as I remain. - -_12th July._ Very severe rains. I did not go into the Fort, and heard -nothing of consequence from any quarter. - -_13th July._ Went into the Fort, inquired particularly from the -adjutant of the regiment, and found, from his report, that the privates -not only conceived they were to be dispersed and disbanded when the -order came for them to go as marines, but a report was even current in -the barracks, that they were going to Botany Bay. They were, he assured -me, now fully satisfied of the misrepresentations that had been made -to them; and he believed no discontent remained in the corps excepting -that which had long existed among the men enlisted for life; and which, -they had hopes, would have been altered before this, as Captain Andrews -had published an order, more than a twelvemonth ago, with a view of -quieting their minds; in which he stated, that Government had referred -the question to England. I desired Mr. Nixon to tell the sergeants that -I should inquire into this point, and do any thing in my power towards -obtaining them information of what had been done upon the subject. - -_14th July._ I this morning inspected Captain Gibson's company of -artillery, and was highly pleased with their appearance. I addressed -them on parade, and told them the gratification I had received -from their steadiness under arms, and correct movements; adding my -conviction, that they would maintain, under all circumstances, the -high reputation they had acquired during the late Mahratta war. No -tappal[78] for the last three days, owing to the rain. - -_15th July._ A regimental court martial sat yesterday on four men, and -the regiment was under arms at half past six, to see the sentences -carried into execution. I judged this a favourable opportunity of -addressing the corps; and, after the crimes and sentences of the -prisoners had been read, I made the following short speech: - -"Regiment! As this is the first time I have met you upon such an -occasion, I forgive these men: but I desire you will not mistake the -motives of this act of lenity. It is my intention, as it is my duty, to -enforce the strictest discipline: and I must punish those that merit -it, not only to maintain the character of the corps, but to enable -me to grant indulgences to the good men of it, which I never can do -unless I punish the bad: but I trust, from what I have seen of your -conduct, I shall have little occasion to exercise severity. It is, -indeed, you must all feel, most incumbent upon you to preserve the -utmost regularity and order at the present period. A late occurrence -in the regiment, which has, I am satisfied, been solely produced by -misapprehension and misrepresentation, is on the point of becoming a -subject of investigation before a military court, who will inquire into -the causes by which it was produced. I shall therefore say nothing -on that subject: but I consider it my duty to declare to you at this -moment[79], _that it never was in the contemplation of Government to -disband or disperse this corps, and that it never meant to employ any -officer or man of_ the regiment in any manner or upon any service but -such as was suited to the honour and character of British soldiers, -and which it, of course, conceived both officers and men would be -forward to proceed upon. It was, soldiers, from a full conviction -that a serious misunderstanding alone of the intentions of Government -could have caused what has passed, that made me receive with pride and -gratification my nomination to the command of this regiment: and I am -convinced, from what I have already seen, that I shall (whenever I quit -that station) have to make a report which will add, if possible, to the -high reputation which the corps already enjoys; and satisfy all, that -as it is the first in rank of the infantry of this establishment, it is -also first in fidelity, loyalty, and attachment to the Government it -serves, and to its King and Country." - -This address appeared to be received by both officers and men of the -corps with satisfaction; and I make no doubt of its effect. I was -withheld, by many and serious considerations, from haranguing the men, -or publishing any explanatory order to them, on my first arrival. -Such would, in the agitated state of the whole garrison, have been -completely misconstrued, and would probably have produced the very -opposite effect from what was intended. - -_16th July._ I dined yesterday with the mess of the 1st battalion 19th -regiment N. I., and sat till a late hour. No toasts were given; and not -a word relating to the present situation of affairs escaped the lips of -any man present. I could not but be pleased with such good feeling, and -felt gratified at this mark of personal respect. The evening passed in -the utmost hilarity and good humour. - -_17th July._ Some of the officers of the garrison waited upon me -to-day with letters of a most violent tenor that they had received -from Hyderabad and other stations, in which they were reproached with -weakness for having admitted me. I was described in some of these -letters as a consummate politician, and consequently as the most -dangerous man Government could have sent among them. The garrison -were told I would _tamper with their men, cajole them_, and in the -end ruin the general cause. I was happy to find the sentiments of the -gentlemen who waited upon me were not in unison with those of their -correspondents; but they hinted their fears of the violence of the -younger officers of the garrison, who, they said, had been hurt at the -speech I made to the men on the 15th, which they thought was calculated -to excite the men against their officers. I appealed to an old officer -of the regiment, who was present, Whether he thought the speech had -any such tendency? He said it certainly had not struck him as in the -least objectionable. I observed, that the testimony of an officer like -him should satisfy others; and if it did not, I could not help it; -for in such times a man could not put his foot over the threshhold -without a misconstruction of the manner in which it was done. The -officers who waited on me this day gave me a paper, the purport of -which was to learn what assurances I could give them of a disposition -of the Government of Madras to redress their grievances; and, in the -event of my declining, to inform them what I thought the intentions of -Government were. It was signified, that if I did not, the confidence -of the garrison would be withdrawn from me, and they would consider -themselves released from all promises they made. I told them I could -make no communication of the nature they required, and that they might -act as they thought proper: I should, under all circumstances, do my -duty to the Government I served. - -_18th July._ This morning M. H. waited upon me, and showed me a -communication from the established committee at Hyderabad to this -garrison, which called upon them to demand from me an assurance that -the orders of the 1st of May would be repealed; and, if that was -refused, instructed them to throw off the authority of Government, -and make me leave Masulipatam. I went over all the grounds I had -done before with this officer; and told him, that if the garrison -was so lost to all sense of duty and propriety as to act upon this -instruction, I must judge for myself, and take those steps which the -emergency demanded. He said, the senior officers, who had sent him, -were not disposed to attend to the call made upon them by the Hyderabad -Committee; but they, he added, had now little or no control over their -juniors, who were decidedly for having recourse to immediate violence. -I asked him to what lengths men (who had still some reflection) meant -to allow themselves to be borne away with the tide? The hour, I added, -was come, when they must decide. I then pointed out the ground on which -I thought they might, without injury to their honour, make a stand, and -rescue the deluded young men of the army, as well as themselves, from -destruction. I expressed my conviction of the men remaining with the -senior officers, and that the young men must be reclaimed to reason, -or at least be prevented from becoming rebels, if those who were their -seniors acted with a becoming spirit. This conference lasted two hours, -and M. H. went to communicate with the rest. There was, I understood, -a warm discussion for several hours; after which, two of the senior -officers waited upon me, and said they had with difficulty prevented -the rest from coming to extremes that day; but they had at last -agreed to wait six days (till the 24th), when, if they heard nothing -favourable to their hopes, they meant to take such steps as they -thought calculated to forward the objects they had in view. They at the -same time said they had, in consequence of the opinion of their brother -officers at other stations, determined to admit no investigation into -their past conduct. I observed, that if these were their resolutions -we must come to issue at once, and I must take those steps I judged -best to counteract their measures, as I considered their proposition of -adhering to their duty for a limited period of six days, was nothing -less than an open defiance; and their refusal to admit investigation -was a measure of the same stamp. I had meant, I said, in conformity -with authority I had received from Government, to have entered into -the investigation immediately (before the arrival of my colleagues); -and I had entertained an intention of proceeding to Madras with the -report, in the conviction that this garrison would have remained steady -in its duty: but I must now, I added, abandon all such plans, and meet -with that firmness which it was my duty to meet it, that dreadful -emergency which this garrison had so rashly precipitated. I then read -them a letter to Colonel McLeod[80], pointing out all the horrors of -the crisis to which they were rushing. They appeared forcibly struck -with what I said and read, and expressed their hope that their brother -officers would alter their resolution, and not impede the course of -proceeding which I intended to pursue. It might, they said, afford some -ray of hope of the present distractions being ended; for though they -knew my sentiments differed widely from theirs, and that I was devoted -to my duty to Government, they were also sensible that I had warm -feeling for the situation of my brother officers. I went, immediately -after this interview, to dine at the mess of the regiment, and (strange -inconsistency!) received every mark of respect and kindness from men -who had been debating all the morning whether they should enter into a -contest with me for the authority of the garrison! - -_19th July._ I went into the Fort early this morning, and called upon -Colonel Innes to give me a full statement of all that had passed -relative to the origin of those discontents that terminated in the -mutiny of the 25th ultimo[81]. I also called upon Major Storey, Captain -Andrews, and Mr. Nixon, the adjutant of the regiment, to give me every -information they had relative to these transactions. I was waited -upon, soon after I went to the Fort, by two of the senior officers, -who were, they said, desired by all to state that a general confidence -and respect for my character had induced the garrison to change their -resolutions, and that they hoped I would follow the course of inquiry -I intended; and, after making the investigation, proceed, if I thought -it advisable, to Madras. They would, they said, during my absence be -as jealous of my honour as of their own, and promise not to depart in -the slightest degree from the path of duty and order, unless a rise in -other stations was to take place; of which, they said, they thought -there was no probability, particularly as they would write to inform -them of the pledge they had made, and entreat them not to make any call -upon them before my return to my command. I told them I felt obliged by -this mark of their regard and confidence; but I would not receive it, -if I thought it was made under any idea or expectation that I would be -the advocate of their cause, or that of the army. They disclaimed any -such idea. I would, they knew, from what they had seen, do my duty in -the manner I thought best. I was gratified with the pledge I received; -which, as M. H. afterwards privately observed, gave me a stronger tie -on the officers while I was absent than I could have had during the -same period, if present. The reasons which led me to resolve on going -to Madras were fully stated to Sir George Barlow in a letter under this -date. - -Accounts were received this evening of the assembly of a force at -Madras. I anticipated the feeling this would make, and stated to an -officer present, when I received the letter, my conviction, that it -was in consequence of the many, and perhaps exaggerated, reports of -intended mutinies that had been consequent to that of Masulipatam. - -_20th July._ General Pater arrived. I went to meet him, gave him a -return of the garrison, and made a full and confidential report of all -past proceedings. I found that the officers of standing, to whom I had -spoken so much on the danger of allowing young men to take such a lead -in the present discussions, had taken advantage of the good disposition -of the moment, as to carry a resolution, that the garrison committee, -which were mobbish meetings of the whole of the officers, should be -abolished, and the proceedings to be entirely carried on by the eleven -senior officers, by whose judgment all questions were in future to be -decided, and who were entirely to act for themselves, and not to follow -the instructions of other committees, or be influenced by the voice of -any person not a member of the committee. This measure I considered as -the first great step towards a return to reason and temper. I received -an invitation from the garrison to dine with them on the 22d. All the -gentlemen, civil and military, were invited to meet. - -_21st July._ All was quiet. I received this day the most unequivocal -proofs of the desire of some of the senior officers to return to the -right path, if furnished with any ground on which they could absolve -themselves from the deep pledges they had made, and assert their right -to control their juniors. - -_22d July._ General Pater looked at the regiment on parade, and -afterwards went, accompanied by his staff, to breakfast with -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes. - -Captain Gibson of the artillery informed me, that though he had -received his leave to go to Madras, he would remain, if I advised him, -at Masulipatam. I spoke with General Pater; and it was his opinion, -as it was mine, that Captain Gibson should proceed. If he had been -ordered to stay after his leave was made public, it would have excited -suspicion, without any adequate benefit. Whether conciliatory or -coercive measures were adopted, Captain Moorhouse, who succeeded to -the command of the company of artillery, appeared equally, if not -better, suited to the charge at that crisis. He was a brave, excellent -officer, and had never for a moment even swerved from his duty; and his -character was respected even by the most violent of the disaffected. -Captain Gibson, on the contrary, having for a short time joined in -their schemes, had, when he (very meritoriously) checked himself in his -career of guilt, been considered a deserter from their cause, and had -become an object of their marked hatred and resentment. General Pater -dined with the officers of the garrison; and the best feeling possible -was shown at this entertainment. After dinner I proceeded by post to -Madras. - -JOHN MALCOLM. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[76] This was in accordance with the instructions I had received, and -most assuredly marks the character of the proceeding. Yet it has been -stated, I was immediately, _before investigation_, to seize the persons -of the principal offenders. - -[77] This was afterwards discovered to be a fabrication. - -[78] Post. - -[79] I had watched an opportunity of making this communication in the -manner I thought would have most effect. I am accused by the Government -of Fort St. George of never having made it. - -[80] Vide page 149. - -[81] I had received authority to proceed (without waiting for my -colleagues) in this inquiry. Lieutenant-Colonel Berkeley had, indeed, -been prevented from attending by a severe illness. - - - - - No. III. - - TO - THE HON. SIR G. H. BARLOW, BART. & K.B. - GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. - - Fort St. George. - HONOURABLE SIR, - -I have this day transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief of the forces -an account of the inquiry into the proceedings of the officers at -Masulipatam, previous to my assuming the command at that station. I -now consider it my duty to report every event that occurred during my -command of that garrison. It is, however, essential to my own character -and to the information of Government, that I should state the peculiar -circumstances under which I proceeded on this duty, as well as the -impressions which existed at that moment on my mind, respecting your -intentions not only regarding the garrison of Masulipatam, but the -whole army; as it is with reference to those impressions alone that my -conduct in the discharge of this delicate and important duty can be -judged. - -I received a message to attend at your Gardens on the 1st July; and -was informed, when I arrived there, of the mutiny which had occurred -at Masulipatam, and of an improper and disrespectful remonstrance -which you had that day received from the Company's officers of the -subsidiary force in the Deckan. You did me the honour to ask my opinion -on both subjects; and I suggested, that an officer of rank should be -immediately ordered to Masulipatam, to inquire into, and report upon, -the proceedings of the officers of that garrison; and that a letter -should be written to the commanding officers of the subsidiary forces -at Hyderabad and Jaulnah, informing them of your having received, with -regret and disapprobation, a Memorial from the officers under their -command, soliciting that you should rescind the orders of the 1st of -May; and pointing out, in the most forcible manner, the dangerous -tendency of such addresses, and the total impossibility of complying -with their request; and directing the commanding officers to call -upon the officers under their command to reflect upon the serious -consequences which a perseverance in such measures must produce. - -After some discussion regarding the officer it would be proper to -nominate to the command of the European regiment and the garrison -of Masulipatam, I offered to proceed myself upon that service; and -you accepted my offer with an apparent confidence in my success, of -which I could not but be proud. The emergency gave no time for the -preparation of instructions, and I was immediately appointed to command -the garrison of Masulipatam and the Madras European regiment; while two -respectable officers, Lieutenant-Colonel W. Berkeley and Major Evans, -were nominated to act with me, as members of a military committee that -was directed to investigate the conduct of the garrison. - -I was repeatedly assured by you, at the last interview with which I was -honoured, that you committed the dignity and interests of Government -(as far as those were implicated on this occasion) into my hands with -perfect confidence, and that you gave me the fullest latitude of -action: adding, that I was fully acquainted with your sentiments upon -the whole subject of the existing discontents among the officers of the -Company's army. I certainly was, from the confidence with which you had -honoured me, fully aware of your sentiments. I knew that you were most -solicitous to allay the ferment that had arisen in the army, and that -you were at that moment resolved to use every means in your power to -effect that object, but such as you deemed derogatory to the honour and -dignity of the Government with which you were charged. You regarded, -I knew, the occurrence of a rupture between the state and any part of -its army, one of the most desperate evils that could arise, and thought -every moment that such an event was delayed was of ultimate importance, -as it gave time for reflection and the action of better feeling, and -strengthened the hope that deluded men might yet return to that path of -duty and good order from which they had so widely departed. - -The act of my appointment to Masulipatam of itself proclaimed these -sentiments; and I was confirmed in them from the approbation you gave -to my suggestion regarding the mode of treating the Memorial you had -received from the officers of the subsidiary force, which you desired -I would put into the form of a letter, and send to you; which I did, -through the medium of your military secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel -Barclay. Impressed with these sentiments, I sailed for Masulipatam -early on the morning of the 2d of July, and arrived there on the -4th. I found the officers of that garrison in a state of open and -bold mutiny against Government, with every thing prepared to march -towards Hyderabad, to effect a junction with the subsidiary force at -that place, by whom they had been promised complete support in the -opposition they had commenced to the authority of Government. The -most violent among the officers of the garrison saw, in recognising -my authority, a complete suspension, if not a total discomfiture, of -their plans, and argued loudly against my being acknowledged: and -it was not till after a discussion of near five hours that I was -enabled to bring these deluded men to a sense of all the perils of -their situation, and of the consequences that must ensue from their -throwing off their allegiance to the state. They at last were subdued -by the force of reason; for no other means were used, as I thought it -equally my duty to avoid any promise of amnesty for the past, or of -consideration for the future: and they, after repeated and fruitless -trials, desisted from all applications upon these points. A repetition -of the discussions which occurred at this scene (accompanied, however, -with less violence) took place next day: after which, the question of -disputing my authority was abandoned. - -I was happy to find, by a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, under -date 12th July, that the mode as well as substance of the proceedings -that I adopted on my arrival at Masulipatam was honoured with your -entire approbation. - -I took every opportunity of mixing with the officers of the garrison, -and circulated among them a variety of letters, which I had written -with a view of reclaiming the more violent of my brother officers -to better feelings and better sentiments; and I found that my -conversation, and the perusal of these papers, had soon a very visible -effect; and that though they continued to share the general proceedings -of the army, they no longer (as they had done before my arrival) -thought it incumbent upon them to take the lead in an insurrection -against Government, though they were excited to that measure by the -most violent letters from almost every station in the army, and were -also impelled to it by their own sense of danger from what had passed, -which they thought would be greatly diminished when the majority of the -officers of the army were sharers in the general guilt. I considered, -that by effecting this change in the temper of the garrison of -Masulipatam, one of the chief objects which you had in contemplation -when you sent me to that garrison, was accomplished. The rupture which -had recurred, and which was likely to be followed by an insurrection -of a great part of the officers of the army, had been arrested in -its progress, without the slightest sacrifice of the authority, or -compromise of the dignity, of the state; and time was gained, which, -under every view that could be taken of the subject, appeared of the -greatest advantage to Government. - -The first serious interruption to this progressive improvement of good -feeling among the officers of the garrison of Masulipatam, was caused -by a letter from an established committee at Hyderabad, which reached -that garrison on the 18th July. This letter, which, like all other -papers of a similar tendency, was shown to me, reproached the officers -at Masulipatam with want of wisdom in having admitted me to assume the -command of the garrison. The committee desired they would instantly -demand from me an assurance that the order of the 1st of May would be -rescinded; and, if I refused it, recommended that measures should be -immediately taken to oblige me to quit Masulipatam. A paper of demands, -which the Hyderabad committee termed their _Ultimatum_, and which -they said they intended to forward to Government, accompanied this -letter. These papers were shown to me by an officer of some rank and -influence, with whom I was in the habit of confidential intercourse. He -told me the senior officers of the garrison were far from approving of -the sentiments of the Hyderabad committee, but much was to be feared -from the violence of the juniors. I took this occasion of exposing -all the fallacy of the grounds on which they were proceeding, and of -impressing, in the most forcible language I could, the dangers into -which many of the officers of the Company's army were precipitately -rushing. As the substance of the communication I made to this officer -was afterwards circulated in the form of a letter, I enclose an extract -from my journal, in which it was immediately entered: and this extract -will show you the nature of those arguments I used to reclaim men from -their deep delusion. This communication had evidently a great effect -upon the person to whom it was addressed; and he promised me he would -not only communicate my sentiments to some of the most reflecting -among the officers of the garrison, and obtain, through their means, -the rejection of the proposals from Hyderabad, but would endeavour, -in concert with them, to effect an arrangement that would exclude the -younger part of the officers from any right of deliberation on the -questions with which the army was now agitated; which I agreed with him -would be a point of the greatest importance, and the first step towards -a final settlement of existing evils. - -All these measures were happily effected. An answer was sent to -Hyderabad, that the officers of Masulipatam must assert their right -of judging for themselves, and that they could not comply with their -demand regarding me; and the garrison committees, which were mobbish -meetings of the whole of the officers, were dissolved, and all future -proceedings entrusted to a few of the senior officers, who were (it -was agreed) not to be influenced either by the opinions of other -committees, or by the opinion of any officer in the garrison not -included in their number, which was limited to eleven. - -I had at this period received a report that Lieutenant-Colonel -Berkeley was too unwell to come to Masulipatam, and there was likely -to be some delay in the arrival of Major Evans. I also found that -formal examinations before a regular committee would be likely to -excite an irritation, which it had been, throughout, my study to -avoid. I therefore took advantage of the authority conveyed to me by -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay's letter of the 12th of July, to commence -myself the investigation of the conduct of the garrison previous to my -arrival. - -I had always intended (provided I had obtained your permission) to -have proceeded with the report of the committee to Madras, as I was -sensible I should never be able to convey to you by letters the whole -of that important information I had obtained of the real state and -temper of the majority of the officers of the Company's army on the -coast, who, though apparently united in one confederacy, were actuated -by widely different motives, and took very different views of the -nature of the scene in which they were engaged: and of these different -shades in their situation and intentions it appeared to me most -essential you should have the fullest information, as this knowledge -was evidently the only basis upon which any arrangement could be made -for the settlement of the whole question, without having recourse to -an open and declared rupture, which I ever understood it was your -earnest desire to avoid till the last extremity. As I found the changes -which had been effected left me without any fear of the garrison of -Masulipatam departing from their duty during my absence, I thought -it my duty, after I had completed the investigation with which I was -charged, to exercise that discretion which you had given me before my -departure from Madras, and proceed in person to report the result of my -investigation. I communicated this intention to Major-General Pater, -the commander of the division, who arrived at Masulipatam on the 20th -July, and it met with his fullest concurrence and approbation. - -I heard, before my departure, of the 2d battalion of the 10th regiment -of native infantry having refused to march; but as that event did -not appear likely to be immediately followed by any open act of -contumely or disobedience in the Hyderabad force, and as it produced no -commotion whatever in the garrison of Masulipatam, it was an additional -excitement to the resolution I had adopted, as I expected to have -arrived at Madras (by travelling in the rapid manner I did) before any -determination had been taken upon this act of mutiny and disobedience, -and to have furnished information that might have aided your judgment -in deciding upon that important question. - -As I always conceived that it was the object of Government to -reclaim, if possible, the minds of the officers, I directed my whole -attention, during the period I was at Masulipatam, to this great -object. I therefore cautiously abstained from any attempt to discover -the sentiments of either the European or native soldiery. Such an -attempt must have been instantly known, and would have inflicted an -irremediable wound on the minds of the officers, and have been certain -to precipitate that crisis which it was my labour to avoid. - -To evince that I have not been deceived in the expectations I formed of -the change of feeling in the affairs of the garrison of Masulipatam, I -enclose an extract of a letter from an officer, in whose correctness -I place entire confidence. The resolutions which the committee of -Masulipatam have agreed to consider, are such, no doubt, as it would -be impossible for Government to have acceded to; but they exhibit -a most important change from former violence to comparative temper -and moderation; and their agitation shows that these officers reject -all share in the demands made in that paper which is termed their -_Ultimatum_ by the Hyderabad committee. It must be recollected, that -in cases like the present, where the minds of a large body of men have -been greatly disturbed, that their return to reason is likely to be -as gradual as their departure from it: and I can have no doubt, from -what I know of the present temper and inclination of some of the senior -officers in the northern division, as well as in other quarters of -this army, that had not the recent acts of the force at Hyderabad led -to those measures which Government has thought it its duty to adopt, -they would have seized with avidity any opportunity that the indulgent -considerations of Government for their past errors had afforded them, -of reclaiming themselves and others from the deep crimes into which -they had plunged, and of restoring to its former name and glory a -service which the rash madness of some of its members threaten with -ruin and destruction. - -It remains for me only to state, and I do it with deep regret, that, as -far as I can judge, late occurrences have annihilated every hope of the -garrison of Masulipatam (I speak with the exception of the artillery -company) remaining faithful to its duty; and I fear there are several -corps in the division, the officers of which will be disposed to follow -their example. - -I entreat you to pardon the length of this letter, as well as the -freedom with which I have stated my sentiments. I can have no desire -but to show that I have not been false to that confidence by which -I was honoured; and that I have laboured with zeal, and not without -success, (at least as far as the scene in which I was employed was -concerned,) to promote the public interests. - - I have the honour to be, - Honourable sir, - Your most obedient servant, - (Signed) JOHN MALCOLM. - - Madras, - 1st August, 1809. - - - - - No. IV. - _Address of the Inhabitants of Madras to_ Sir GEORGE BARLOW. - - TO - THE HON. SIR G. BARLOW, BART. & K.B. GOVERNOR, AND PRESIDENT IN - COUNCIL, OF FORT ST. GEORGE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. - -HONOURABLE SIR, - -We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, impressed with a deep sense -of our duty to our Country, and of the necessity of good order and -obedience to the constituted authorities, beg leave to render you, at -this moment of difficulty and danger, our assurances of support to the -interests of Government, and of our readiness to devote our lives and -fortunes to the maintenance of the public tranquillity in any way in -which to you, in your wisdom, it may seem meet to command them. - -We desire to take this opportunity of publicly expressing our fullest -disapprobation of that spirit of insubordination which has recently -shown itself amongst the officers of the Honourable Company's army -serving under the Presidency of Fort St. George: fully convinced, that -it is the duty of every good subject to yield obedience to the commands -of those whom the will of his Sovereign and the laws of his country -have placed in authority over him, and patiently to await the result of -a reference to Europe for the redress of real or supposed grievances. -Any conduct, impatient of the period of such appeal, and backward to -the calls of professional obedience, we regard as subversive of all -good order and discipline, hostile to the constitution of our native -country, and big with danger to the existence of the British empire in -India. - -And we therefore, honourable sir, beg to repeat the assurances of our -firm determination to resist the operation of such principles, which we -are convinced must be equally reprobated and condemned by all good and -loyal subjects. - -Fort St. George, -9th August, 1809. - - - - - No. V. - - _Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM _to Major-General_ GOWDIE, - _Commander of the Forces in Chief, Madras_. - - -SIR, - -I have before informed you, that in consequence of instructions I -received from the honourable the Governor, through the medium of -Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, military secretary, I proceeded (without -waiting the assembly of the committee that was ordered) to make an -inquiry into the conduct of the garrison of Masulipatam. I considered -that the best form in which I could make this inquiry, was to collect -from Lieutenant-Colonel Innes every information he could give, and to -obtain such evidence from the officers of the garrison as appeared -necessary to establish the leading facts of the transactions it was -my object to investigate. I judged that a minute and formal personal -examination of the parties was equally unnecessary to the object of -the preliminary inquiry with which I was charged, and unsuited to the -temper of the times, or to the fulfilment of those objects which I -conceived the honourable the Governor to have had in view at the time I -was appointed to the command of the garrison of Masulipatam. - -The officers of the garrison whom I called upon for information, were -of course cautious in committing to writing, or indeed in verbally -stating, any thing that might criminate themselves: and I was induced, -by many reasons, to avoid any examination of the men of the European -regiment, or native battalion. Such evidence was not necessary to -the establishment of the principal facts; and it could not have -been obtained without a complete sacrifice of that temper which it -was my object to maintain until the Government was in possession of -the general result of my inquiry, and of that important information -regarding the state of not only the garrison of Masulipatam, but of -other stations in the army, which my employment upon this duty had -enabled me to collect. - -I enclose a statement given in by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, with an -Appendix, and two private notes in reply to queries I put to him, -subsequent to his delivering me his first statement. - -I also enclose a paper, which contains the substance of the information -given me by Captain Andrews of the European regiment, and Captain Kelly -of the 1st battalion 19th regiment of native infantry, and which was -corroborated by several of the officers of the garrison. I transmit a -paper from Lieutenant Nixon, the Adjutant, whom I examined relating to -the different causes which had led to agitate the minds of the men of -the European regiment, and to make them, as well as their officers, -forget their duty. - -You are in possession of Major Storey's public letter, stating the -nature of the situation in which he was placed, and the steps which -he adopted. In addition to that document I enclose the substance of a -verbal declaration which Major Storey made to me upon this subject, and -which shows the leading consideration which he states to have governed -his conduct upon this occasion. - -These enclosures will throw complete light upon the conduct of -both Lieutenant-Colonel Innes and the officers of the garrison of -Masulipatam: and I shall, in the course of the few observations which -I feel it my duty to offer upon their contents, state such additional -facts as came to my knowledge from verbal communications upon this -subject. - -It is not possible to contemplate the conduct of the officers of -Masulipatam throughout the different stages of this transaction, -without constant reference to the general discontent and disaffection -to Government which, at the moment of their proceedings, prevailed -in the minds of a large proportion of the officers of the Company's -army on this establishment, and which must be considered as one of the -chief, if not the sole cause of their excesses. - -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes appears, from his statement, to have joined -the corps he was appointed to command with an impression that the -officers of it were disaffected to Government, and with a resolution to -oppose and correct such improper principles in whatever place or shape -he met them. - -He landed at Masulipatam on the 7th May, and was invited on the same -day to dine at the mess of the regiment; and it was after dinner, on -this first day of their intercourse, that the ground-work was laid -of all their future disputes. The only substantial fact adduced by -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes on this occasion, and admitted by the other -parties, was, that "the friends of the army" was given as a toast, -at this meeting, by Lieutenant D. Forbes, and seconded by Lieutenant -Maitland, quarter-master of the corps. This toast Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes requested might be changed for "the Madras army;" but his -proposition was not acceded to, and he, in consequence, left the table. -This appears to be the only proved fact. Several observations are -stated by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes to have been made by officers at -the table, that were disrespectful to Government, and contrary to the -principles of subordination and good order: but the only one of these -observations that he specifies, is ascribed to Lieutenant Maitland -in a letter to that gentleman, which forms a number of the Appendix. -In that letter, Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, after regretting that -Lieutenants Maitland and Forbes had not made the apology he required -of them for their conduct on the evening of the 7th May, adds, "I will -still forward any explanations you may state to me with respect to the -_observations you made_ at the _mess_ on the 7th instant so _publicly_, -with respect to the _Nizam's_ detachment, and officers who are not -friends of the army." Lieutenant Maitland, in his reply to this letter, -states his hope that Government will not decide upon Lieutenant-Colonel -Innes's report until he has an opportunity of defending himself: and -further observes, "Until I received your letter this day, I never knew -for what words or actions of mine an apology was required; for _I most -solemnly deny_ ever having given any opinion, in any manner, regarding -the Nizam's detachment and its officers, that night, or at any other -time, in your presence." - -When Lieutenant-Colonel Innes left the mess-room, which he did, as -has been before stated, in consequence of their refusing to change -the toast to "the Madras army," as he had proposed, it appears the -officers proceeded to drink their original toast in the manner they -were accustomed to drink it, with three cheers: and these, it is not -unlikely, may have been mistaken by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes for -further marks of disrespect to him, and consequently to the authority -by which he was appointed: but the officers of the regiment, who -were present at table, deny the existence or expressions of any such -sentiment. - -These different statements cannot be deemed surprising, when the nature -of this meeting is considered. The parties could, indeed, hardly have -been personally known to each other: and although no doubt can be -entertained of the goodness of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's motives, and -the laudable character of his zeal for the Government he served, it is -perhaps to be regretted that his first effort to correct the principles -of the officers of his corps should have been made at a convivial -scene, where it was to be supposed men would be less under restraint -than in any other situation, and therefore less disposed to attend to -either the voice of counsel or authority. - -But Colonel Innes, from his statement, appears sensible of this fact. -He observes, after recapitulating the motives that led him to report -_privately_ the conduct of the officers of the regiment at the dinner -on the 7th of May, to a confidential staff officer, from whom he -received what he terms 'his original instructions,' "I at the same -time particularly requested, that no _public notice_ might be taken -of what I found it expedient to state, unless I should be compelled -subsequently to bring the business reluctantly forward officially; -having intimated that I expected an apology to be tendered to me by -Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland for their improper conduct on that -evening, when the general orders of the 1st of May last were commented -upon at the mess-room of the Madras European regiment." - -That such was the impression upon Colonel Innes's mind, is confirmed -by a note from him to Mr. Nixon, the adjutant of the regiment, in -which he asserts, that he made no official report of the occurrence. -It appears, however, that, contrary to Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's -expressed expectation, you considered it your duty to notice the -private communication he had made of the occurrences of the evening -of the 7th May; and the letter which the Adjutant-General wrote to -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes upon that subject, under date the 17th May, -was immediately put into the regimental orderly book of the corps. -It would be superfluous for me to dwell upon the irritation which -the measures that were adopted upon this occasion, and the mode of -carrying them into execution, excited in the minds of the officers of -the regiment. The nature and extent of that irritation are sufficiently -explained in the accompanying documents. Its grounds were the supposed -incorrectness of Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's private communications -to head-quarters; the neglect with which the representations of the -officers of the regiment upon this subject were treated; the hardship -of a respectable staff officer being disgraced by a removal from his -station, without knowing of what he was accused, or being permitted -to say one word in his defence; and the unusual and extraordinary -measure of detaching (as a punishment) an officer of the regiment to -the command of a post where there was not one man of his corps, and the -refusal of a court martial to the officer on whom this unprecedented -mark of disgrace had been inflicted. - -In addition to these subjects of complaint, the officers seem to have -considered the publication of the letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Conway -in the orderly book, as an unnecessary promulgation of the displeasure -and censure they had incurred among the men of the regiment: and -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes would appear to have been sensible, sometime -afterwards, that this was the fact, as he desired the letter to be -expunged from the orderly book. - -You will observe, from the documents I enclose, all that took place -connected with the appointment of Lieutenant Spankie, regarding which -an impression was received by the officers of the regiment, from a -communication made by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, on the ground of a -private letter, which he stated to them he had received from you, that -it was in contemplation to disband the regiment, and place the officers -on half-pay, if they did not alter their conduct; but that the fate -of the corps would in a great degree be determined by the step which -Lieutenant Spankie might take; that is, by his refusal or acceptance of -the station of quarter-master. This idea (which I cannot think it was -ever the intention of your letter to convey) was directly intimated by -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes in the following private note to Lieutenant -Spankie. - -"MY DEAR SIR, - -"I believe I forgot to remark, that your situation and Lieutenant -Fenwick's are very different now. Under existing circumstances it was -equally proper for him to decline accepting of the quarter-mastership, -as it is absolutely proper and necessary that you should accede to the -General's wishes, to save a whole regiment. Think of this. - -"Yours truly, -(Signed) "J. INNES." - -This proceeding could not but greatly increase the irritation that -before existed: it gave too much ground for the propagation of a -belief, that the general punishment of the whole corps might depend -upon the conduct of an individual (a young officer in the corps), on a -question of a particular and personal nature; and it was not possible -for an impression to have been made more calculated to increase the -irritation and spirit of discontent which before prevailed in the -regiment. - -I shall now proceed to a concise view of the circumstances which relate -to the order for the embarkation of a detachment of the Madras European -regiment for marines, and of the occurrences which took place on the -25th June: regarding which, however, the documents already in your -possession are so ample, as to require little further information upon -the subject. - -When Lieutenant Forbes was directed to proceed to Penang, and a party -of marines, under Lieutenant Maitland, to be in readiness to embark -on board the Fox frigate, no idea appears to have been entertained of -opposition to these orders. Though the officers of the corps felt, -that Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland being particularly ordered on -these duties could only be as a punishment, and to avoid the stigma -which they conceived this proceeding would bring upon the corps, they -solicited Lieutenant-Colonel Innes to allow other officers to exchange -with Lieutenant Maitland and Lieutenant Forbes, and at the same time -assured him there was not an officer in the regiment that was not ready -to take the tour of duty. This application (which proves the officers -had no intention at that period of resisting the orders of Government,) -was refused by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes, for reasons stated in his note -to me of the 22d July, which forms a number of the Appendix. - -Before the orders were received at Masulipatam for an increased -number of marines embarking on board his Majesty's ships Piedmontese -and Samarang, the minds of the officers of that garrison had been -much inflamed by communications they had received from the different -stations of the army. These expressed (agreeable to the statement of -Captain Andrews and Captain Kelly) a general opinion of the illegality -of the orders regarding Lieutenant Forbes and Lieutenant Maitland, and -of the unjust manner in which the Madras European regiment had been -treated. It was also reported from a variety of quarters, that the -regiment was to be dispersed and disbanded: and these reports obtained, -from the nature of preceding occurrences, a very ready belief both -among the officers and men of the corps. - -There can, however, be no doubt that the garrison at Masulipatam, as -well as other stations with which they communicated, contemplated -the detachment of so large a party as that ordered from the European -regiment, as a serious diminution of their strength, and consequently -injurious to the interests of the confederacy against Government, in -which they were so deeply engaged; and that this consideration in some -degree influenced them to that criminal course which they pursued: but -I do not believe that this motive, unaided by others, would have led -them at that moment to so bold and daring an opposition to orders. - -The account given by Lieutenant-Colonel Innes of the proceedings of the -25th June, is, I am satisfied, perfectly correct. It is impossible for -me to afford any further information than what you will derive from -that document. To Major Storey's official letter, and the substance -of that officer's verbal declaration to me, (which forms a number -of the Appendix,) I can only add my conviction of two facts; 1st, -That Lieutenant-Colonel Innes had it not in his power to coerce the -obedience of the garrison in the state it was in; and, 2dly, That had -bloodshed taken place, it would (as Major Storey states in his verbal -declaration) have been the signal for the Company's officers at many -other stations throwing off their allegiance to Government. - -The accompanying deposition of Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon is -entitled to some attention. There is no doubt of the general facts -which that officer has stated; they are indeed proved by the conduct -of the men of the European regiment, who gave a ready support to their -officers in an act which they must have known was mutinous, which it is -not likely they would have done if they had not received unfavourable -impressions of the intentions of Government. These impressions, -however, were only the predisposing causes: the immediate impulse under -which the deluded men of the regiment acted, was a wish to support -officers who had been long with them, and a feeling of resentment at -threatened coercion; and, under the action of this impulse, they would, -no doubt, have opposed any troops that had been brought against them. - -Though nothing can justify mutiny, it is impossible, when we consider -that the non-commissioned officers and men of the Madras European -regiment acted on this occasion at the call of almost all their -regimental officers, not to acquit them in a very great degree of -that share of criminality which must attach to all the individuals -implicated in such proceedings. I am satisfied of the truth of what -Lieutenant Nixon states regarding the discontent that exists among the -men of this corps who have enlisted for an unlimited period of service. -These men gave me a petition upon this subject, and prayed I would -bring it to your notice. I communicated this petition to Major-General -Pater, as I thought it implied, from the terms in which it was -expressed, that they were aware of their situation, and were disposed -to maintain their obedience to Government. It was at all events clearly -to be inferred from the mode and substance of this representation, that -those by whom it was made were sensible of the nature of the times, and -thought them favourable for the accomplishment of their object. - -It is impossible for me to state what officers have been most culpable -in those irregular and unmilitary proceedings into which I have been -directed to inquire; but, with the exception of those stated in -Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's letter, (who had, in fact, no means of -being useful,) I believe that all the officers present with the Madras -European regiment, and the 1st battalion of the 19th regiment, were -implicated in the general guilt. Those who took the most forward part, -are stated in Lieutenant-Colonel Innes's letters. - -The company of artillery stationed out of the Fort had no concern -whatever in these transactions, and has remained throughout perfectly -faithful to its duty and to Government. - -I need hardly state that the native officers and men of the garrison -of Masulipatam had no concern in this mutiny. They fell in on their -parade, on the day of the 25th June, because a number of the officers -of the corps called upon them to do so. - -It is a justice I owe to Major Storey and to Captain Andrews, senior -officer of the European regiment, to state, that from the 25th June -until the 4th of July, the day on which I took the command, the utmost -subordination and good order had been observed by the troops, and -the duty of the garrison had been carried on with as great regularity -and order as if nothing had occurred to disturb the usual routine of -military discipline. - -I feel it would be presumption in me to offer any opinion upon the -subject of my inquiry, and I have therefore confined myself to the -object of bringing before you, in as clear and concise a manner as I -could, the leading and principal facts of those proceedings which I was -directed to investigate. - -I have the honour to be, -Sir, -Your most obedient servant, -(Signed) JOHN MALCOLM, -Lieut.-Col. Com. - -Madras, -1st August, 1809. - - - - - STATEMENT _of Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES. - - -"TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MALCOLM. - -"SIR, - -Paragraph 1. "Previous to my being appointed to command the Madras -European regiment, I was informed that the officers of that corps had -given some very improper toasts on the day that Captain J. Marshall -had dined at their mess here, which fully expressed their political -principles, and how highly they disapproved of the previous measures of -Government, adopted after Lieutenant-General McDowall's leaving Madras -for Europe, whose cause and party they support. - -Par. 2. "Impressed with the recollection of this circumstance, when I -went to dine at the mess of the Madras European regiment, the day I -landed here to assume the command, I determined neither to permit, or -to pass over unnoticed, any such scene as was reported to have occurred -on the day above alluded to, so extremely improper, and subversive of -that high respect which is due to Government from every officer of the -army of Fort St. George. - -Par. 3. "What actually did take place on the evening of the 7th -May last, and which rendered it not only proper, but absolutely -requisite for me to quit the mess-room at an early hour, I deemed it -my indispensable duty next day to communicate, in a private manner, -to a confidential staff officer 'from whom I received my original -instructions,' in order to show the officer commanding the army in -chief, and the Honourable the Governor of Fort St. George, the violent -spirit of discontent, undisguised disapprobation, and determined -opposition to the measures of Government, which even then existed -amongst the officers of that corps, and which was previously well known -at head-quarters. - -Par. 4. "I at the same time particularly requested that no _public -notice_ might be taken of what I found it expedient to state, unless -I should be compelled subsequently to bring the business reluctantly -forward officially; having intimated, that I expected an apology to be -tendered to me by Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland for their improper -conduct on that evening, when the general orders of the 1st May were -commented upon at the mess-room of the Madras European regiment. - -Par. 5. "The next morning I went to breakfast with Captain Andrews -(who had dined at the mess the previous evening), and requested of -him to acquaint the officers composing the mess, that I was under the -necessity of declining to become a member of their society, 'as I had -proposed,' owing to existing circumstances that did not accord with my -ideas or sentiments of subordination, which was my imperious duty to -restrain. - -Par. 6. "Contrary, however, to my expectation, the information I -had originally given was acted upon, being considered of such a -tendency that it could not be passed over, as I had requested, -and which ultimately led to the publication of the orders by the -officer commanding the army in chief, reprimanding the officers of -the Madras European regiment, removing Lieutenant Maitland from the -quarter-mastership, and ordering Lieutenant D. Forbes to command at -Condapillee; as also the appointment of Lieutenant Maitland to command -a detail of the corps ordered to serve as marines, and Lieutenant D. -Forbes to command a detail of the corps at Prince of Wales Island. -Those measures were no doubt adopted with a view of checking any -future symptoms of insubordination amongst the officers of the -Madras European regiment. So far, however, from being attended with -the desired effect, they only tended to increase the former state of -irritation, and their determination on resistance to the orders of -the officer commanding the army in chief, and Government, when their -fractious arrangements were fully organized, and ready to be carried -into execution by the disaffected, as has since been fully confirmed by -their late and daring mutiny. - -Par. 7. "When I transmitted Lieutenant D. Forbes's application to -head-quarters for a general court martial, it was accompanied by -my official letter, and report of the circumstances which occurred -on the evening of the 24th May last, at the mess-room of the M. E. -regiment, and which is now subjoined for your information; as also the -correspondence which subsequently passed between me and the officers of -the Madras European regiment upon this interesting subject, now under -consideration; which I felt it my duty to forward to head-quarters for -the consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, for the reasons assigned -in my two notes addressed to Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon. It only -therefore remains for me to add, that what I honestly, candidly, and -conscientiously stated to have taken place at the mess of the M. E. -regiment on the evening of the 7th of May last, was the substance of -what actually passed, and, to the best of my recollection, in nearly -the same words, (or words to the same effect,) as I most solemnly -declare upon my honour, and am ready to confirm upon oath. - -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut.-Col." - -"Masulipatam, -19th July, 1809." - - -Previous to entering upon the documents alluded to, I will call your -attention to the two following paragraphs of the Governor General's -letter, addressed to Sir G. H. Barlow, Bart. K. B. Governor of Fort -St. George, dated 27th May, 1809; by which you will observe, I was -not only _sanctioned_, but _expected_ to give every information to the -Commander-in-Chief and Government, (from my official situation,) which -could tend to check disaffection in this division, and promote the -public service either by my own example and exertions, or by applying -to a higher authority to suppress it. - -Par. 89. "We concur also entirely in the sentiment expressed in your -general orders of the 1st ultimo, that it is not sufficient for -officers holding commands to avoid a participation in such proceedings, -but that it is their positive and indispensable duty to adopt the -most decided measures for their suppression, and to report them to -the superior authorities. The purposes of tumult and sedition may as -effectually be promoted by their negative concurrence as by their -active participation. - -Par. 90. "The neglect of duty is an offence varying only in degree -from a positive violation of it; and any officer who, apprised of the -progress of disorderly proceedings among those who are placed under his -immediate control, abstains from any attempt to suppress them either -by the exertion of his own authority or by an appeal to the superior -power, gives to those proceedings one mode of encouragement, and cannot -stand absolved of blame, nor found a claim to immunity, nevertheless to -a continuance of that implicit confidence which is attached to stations -of authority, on the basis of so culpable and mischievous a neutrality." - -(A true copy.) -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut.-Col." - - - _Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to the Adjutant-General of - the Army_. - -"Fort St. George. - -"SIR, - -Paragraph 1. "I have the honour of reporting to you, for the -information of the officer commanding the army in chief, and the -Honourable the Governor in Council, the particulars of the daring and -premeditated mutiny which occurred here on Sunday the 25th June, about -two or three o'clock, P. M., when the three detachments of the M. E. -regiment were ordered to embark on board the fleet as marines. - -Par. 2. "On the arrival of the Piedmontese frigate, and Samarang -sloop of war, at this place, I sent off a letter to Captain Foote -commanding the two ships, intimating that the three detachments of the -M. E. regiment were ready to embark, was he prepared and authorized -to receive them on board his ships. The non-commissioned officers and -privates appeared to be highly pleased at going on this duty. - -Par. 3. "About sunset I observed a boat landing with some naval -officers; and having invited Captain Foote on shore, went down to meet -and receive him at the sea gate, to conduct him to my quarters, that we -might communicate fully on every subject which could tend to promote -the public service, in carrying the orders of the officer commanding -the army in chief into execution. - -Par. 4. "Just as the naval officers were nearly landed, I was called -aside by Lieutenant Charles Forbes of the M. E. regiment, who was -accompanied by Captains Kelly and Harrington of the 1st battalion -19th regiment N. I., Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon, and Lieutenant -and Quarter-Master Spankie of the M. E. regiment. Captain Kelly then -read a paper, which they were deputed to communicate to me not only by -the officers of the garrison, but those of this division, requesting -I would postpone the embarkation of the detachments of the M. E. -regiment till they could receive an answer to an address they had it in -contemplation to submit to the Commander-in-Chief, and the Honourable -the Governor in Council, _demanding_ a redress of _grievances_. To this -application I pointedly objected, having no authority to set aside the -instructions I received from the Commander-in-Chief. - -Par. 5. "Lieutenant Spankie then boasted of their having the most -positive assurances of support from the troops at Hyderabad, Jaulnah, -the Bombay army, and every division on the coast. I then observed, -that I hoped those expectations would not induce them to resist the -embarkation, by being guilty of mutiny, and by trying whether the -troops would obey them or me. To order the whole in arrest, was _now_ -my _only_ alternative. This, however, I could not attempt, or expect -their obedience to my authority, under existing circumstances, and -'standing alone.' - -Par. 6. "At this instant the purser of the Piedmontese delivered to me -a letter from Captain Foote, annexed; which upon opening, it proved to -be an official letter from the chief secretary of Government, dated 22d -June 1809, ordering me to embark the detachment of H. M. 59th regiment -of foot on board the Samarang with the least delay. I then inquired of -the purser if he had not brought any other letter to me from Captain -Foote? He replied in the negative, nor did he hear of any detachment -being ordered on board but that of the 59th. This the deputation saw -and heard. - -Par. 7. "But apprehending some mistake had occurred, I told the -deputation I expected a reply to my letter of that day, sent to -Captain Foote, which would elucidate the subject. At 10 o'clock P. M. -it reached me, referring me to his letter sent by the purser. I, of -course, concluded that the one from the secretary of Government was -the one he alluded to, and sent Captain Foote's letter to Lieutenant -and Adjutant Nixon directly: and we concluded that the detachments -of the Madras European regiment were not expected to embark; which I -communicated to the officers on parade next morning; adding, that they -must be prepared to embark at an hour's notice in any other ships that -might arrive to receive them on board, which appeared to give much -satisfaction, finding they were not going by this opportunity. - -Par. 8. "About 1 o'clock P. M., 25th June, the Purser, and Mr. -Midshipman Shepperd, of the Samarang, returned from the Pettah to -my quarters; and, to my astonishment, put Captain Foote's first and -original letter (alluded to in his second) into my hand, which, by -mistake, they had omitted to do the previous evening. I then expressed -my regret at what had passed, although I was convinced it made no -difference; as I conceived, from what passed the evening before, that -the embarkation of the Madras European regiment's detachments would be -resisted by the _officers of the garrison_ at all events. - -Par. 9. "I then sent for Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon, showed him -Captain Foote's letter, (No. 4, annexed,) and directed him to have -the parties ready to go on board at 6 P. M., and to send the officers -ordered on this duty to receive my instructions. I at the same time -observed to the Adjutant, that, from what had passed the previous -evening, I had every reason to suppose the embarkation would be -resisted; and begged and conjured him to consider of the consequences; -and to inform the officers, that if they would pledge their _honour_ -not to interfere with me in the _execution of my duty_, by carrying -the orders of the Commander-in-Chief and Government into execution, -it would afford me the highest satisfaction, and preserve order and -tranquillity. - -Par. 10. "If, however, resistance was intended to be offered by the -_officers_ to the embarkation, I would reluctantly be reduced to the -disagreeable necessity of applying to Captain Foote of the Piedmontese -to land the marines of both ships, and every seaman who could be -spared, to see the orders of Government and the Commander-in-Chief -_respected_, and to enable me to carry them into execution. - -Par. 11. "So soon as the order for embarking was made public, and shown -to the officers, they ran, in a disorderly, tumultuous, and mutinous -manner, to the barracks of the Madras European regiment and the 1st -battalion 19th regiment native infantry, calling on the men to arm, -and prevailed on them to join them in the mutiny, and opposition to -my orders, and those of the Commander-in-Chief and the Honourable the -Governor in Council. - -Par. 12. "Captain Kelly, Lieutenant and Quarter-Master Spankie, and -some other officers, came over to my quarters, conjuring me not to -insist on the embarkation, or to send to Captain Foote for assistance, -which could only occasion the shedding of much innocent blood, and -endangering the loss of the country. All this passed before the naval -gentlemen. Their first observation was a most serious one, having got -the two corps to join them in the mutiny. - -Par. 13. "Another party of officers came shortly after up to my -quarters, repeating what the other officers had done, and upbraiding -me with giving incorrect information to Government and the -Commander-in-Chief relative to what passed on the 7th ult. at the mess; -on which they acted, and dispersed the regiment, on my suggestions, -as a punishment, and which they never would accede to. Many other -observations passed I do not exactly recollect: but I again intimated -to the gentlemen, that, had they obeyed the orders issued, no mutiny -could have occurred, or the public service been impeded, by their -conduct and exertions. - -Par. 14. "Major Storey, who had been sent for by the officers in the -Fort to join in their mutiny, then came to my quarters, told me the -two corps were under arms, and would not be dismissed but by a proper -authority; and that he was called upon by the gentlemen to assume the -command, and put me under close arrest, for the preservation of the -garrison. - -Par. 15. "I observed to Major Storey, that I neither could or would -acknowledge his illegal arrest, and usurped authority, (although he -might put me into close confinement,) for which he and the other -officers would have to answer hereafter; having not only mutinied, but -prevailed on the troops in garrison to do so, by ordering them under -arms, (without my authority,) which they prevailed upon them to resist. - -Par. 15. "Major Storey then ordered my letters to be seized that were -coming from the post office, to be examined by him, and not to allow -any to pass out, or any gentleman to visit me, without his permission. -He then, 'I hear,' issued a garrison order, assuming the command, (as -Captain Andrews did of the Madras European regiment,) and sent off -letters to Hyderabad, Bombay, Travancore, and every other station and -encampment that had united with them in the diabolical conspiracy -against the Government of Fort St. George, as will appear on reference -to the register of letters dispatched after the mutiny from the post -office here; having completely laid aside the mask, publicly avowing -and boasting of the support they depended upon receiving from their -friends, in having their grievances redressed, imposed on them by their -tyrannical Government. - -Par. 17. "Here it is requisite to observe, Lieutenant Cecil, -Dr. Anderson, and Mr. Assistant Surgeon Jones, of the Madras -European regiment, did not join in the mutiny; nor do I think the -non-commissioned and privates of the Madras European regiment, or -the native commissioned, non-commissioned and privates of the 1st -battalion 19th native infantry, would, had they not been _misguided_ by -their guilty officers, _who even_ then, 'I hear,' had some difficulty -to prevail on them to mutiny against my authority and that of the -Commander-in-Chief and Government. - -Par. 18. "Lieutenant Cecil, who commanded the main-guard, having -declined on every occasion to join the other officers in their -disorderly and insubordinate conduct, by resisting the measures of -Government, was relieved from the duty of the main-guard by the -mutineers; not, however, till he had _twice_ waited on me, at the risk -of his life; the second time after I was arrested, when I told him to -submit, opposition being then of no use, and, being ill, to report -himself sick, to avoid future ill treatment from the mutineers. - -Par. 19. "Finding my letters seized by the mutineers, I sent a letter -secretly to Captain Foote by his purser, with a request that copies of -it might be transmitted without delay to the Commander-in-Chief and the -Honourable the Governor in Council, for their information, having no -other means of reporting to them till I was liberated; when a statement -of circumstances would be duly forwarded, which will fully _prove_ that -nothing was wanting on my part to carry my instructions into execution -instantly, notwithstanding the state of affairs here, so frequently -reported since my assuming the command of the Madras European regiment -and this division; previous to which, their opposition to the measures -of Government (and confederacy alluded to,) had commenced with the -Madras and Bombay army. - -Par. 20. "In justice to the purser of the Piedmontese, I must here -observe, that his mistake, in not delivering the letter sooner, was -of no other consequence but that of delaying the mutiny a few hours, -it being regularly organized, and resolved upon for some time past, -and my being arrested, that I might not impede their seditious -plans against Government, so actively carried on; _sorry I am to -add, with too much success_. Understanding that General Pater will -not reach this place before the 15th July, I forward this letter in -a private and secret manner, that Government may be in possession of -the fullest information on the 3d July, in case I may be put to death -by the mutineers before or after the arrival of Major General Pater, -commanding officer of this division. - -(A true copy.) -(Signed) "J. INNES, Lieut. Col. -Commanding Masulipatam, -in charge N. D. of the Army." - - - _Private Note from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to - Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM, _dated Masulipatam, 20th July, 1809_. - -MY DEAR SIR, - -I am favoured with your note of this day's date. In reply to which I -have to state, that I had no communications with the officers of the -Madras European regiment on the subject of reducing the corps. But when -Lieutenant Spankie waited upon me, to receive the Commander-in-Chief's -letter, I intimated to him, on his refusing to accept of the -quarter-mastership, proffered to him by General Gowdie, that if he did -so, it was the General's intention to bring him to a general court -martial. I at the same time conjured him to accept of the situation -offered to him, as on the conduct of the officers of the regiment much -depended, on this occasion; for if they persisted in the unwarrantable -conduct they were now pursuing, the regiment would be reduced, and all -those not on the staff put upon the half-pay of their rank. I then -told Lieutenant S., that other plans, of a much more pleasant nature, -were in contemplation for the regiment, which the officers seemed -determined to put a stop to. I therefore begged and entreated that he -and his friends would maturely and deliberately consider of existing -circumstances, and study their own interest, and that of the public, by -acceding to the General's wishes; which nothing upon earth could have -induced me to make known to Lieutenant S. but the extreme desire I had -to preserve order and tranquillity, in order to promote the benefit of -the regiment and the public service. My letter from the General was a -_private_ one; but, I conceived, couched in such terms, as to authorize -my making use of the information it contained, to check the irritation -that existed in the corps. - -Yours sincerely, -(Signed) J. INNES. - - - _Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to Lieutenant-Colonel_ MALCOLM. - -MY DEAR SIR, - -When I received the order of the Commander-in-Chief, appointing -Lieutenant Maitland to command the first party ordered to serve as -marines on board the Fox frigate, I was waited upon by Captain Yard and -four subalterns of the Madras European regiment, (in the name of the -corps,) requesting I would nominate any subaltern in the regiment to -go in the room of Lieutenant Maitland (who was always sick at sea), or -permit one to volunteer his services. - -I accordingly showed the deputation my instructions and orders, from -which I had not authority to _deviate_; but offered to write to the -Commander-in-Chief for his permission, which they would not accede to. -I at the same time assured the gentlemen, the Honourable the Governor -in Council, and officer commanding the army in chief, were ready to -forget and forgive every thing that had taken place; and that I would -have much pleasure in accepting and forwarding any apology, 'however -slight,' which Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland might send me; and -did not entertain a doubt but should be able to get Lieutenant Maitland -restored to his quarter-mastership, and Lieutenant D. Forbes continued -with the regiment. They, notwithstanding, persisted in making _no_ -apology, and the subject was dropped, to my great regret. - -(Signed) "J. INNES." -"Masulipatam, 22d July, 1809." - - - ABSTRACT _of the Evidence of Captain_ ANDREWS _of the Honourable - Company's European Regiment, and Captain_ KELLY _of the 1st - Battalion 19th Infantry, which is corroborated by several other - Officers of the Garrison_. - -"On the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel James Innes at Masulipatam on the -7th ultimo, to assume the command of the Madras European regiment, he -was invited to dinner at the regimental mess, where there were several -strangers present. In the course of the evening a toast was proposed, -which it was conceived could not be objected to by any one, whatever -might be his opinion of the recent acts of Government that have excited -such general discontent amongst the officers of the coast army; viz. -"The friends of the Madras army." We were therefore much surprised to -hear Lieutenant-Colonel Innes express his disapprobation of it, and -his wish that it might be changed to a more general one; viz. "The -Madras army." Several observed, that there were officers in this army -who were not its friends, and it appeared to be the general opinion of -the Company that the toast should be given out as at first proposed. -Colonel Innes immediately arose from the table; and as he was going -out of the mess-room, the toast was drank with loud applauses. This, -we have reason to think, he construes into his being hooted out of -the mess. Next day Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland were informed, -that if they did not apologize for some observations said to be made -by them at the mess in the presence of their commanding officer, their -conduct would be reported to head-quarters. Those officers were, -however, acquainted that they should be furnished with a copy of the -report. As no specific observations were mentioned by Colonel Innes, -and as those officers had neither said nor done any thing that required -an apology, they of course refused to make any. When it was supposed -that Colonel Innes intended to recommend himself to Government by -informing them of the conversation of a convivial party, the officers -of the regiment resolved to have no further communication with him, -except in cases of duty. Some days afterwards, Lieutenants Spankie and -Hancorn waited upon Colonel Innes, and explained to him fully their -motives for declining to hold any private intercourse with him. In -the course of a long conversation he repeatedly told them, that he -had not reported Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland; and at last assured -them, unless obliged to do so by some future conduct of theirs, he -would not. With this assurance the officers of the regiment were so -satisfied, that they altered their behaviour towards Colonel Innes. -His declarations, however, were equivocal and false, as will appear -by the letter No. 1, which was published in the regimental orders of -the 22d ult. He has acknowledged by the letter No. 2, that it was -written in consequence of information communicated by him in a private -letter, but which he pretended he did not think would have been acted -upon. Agreeably to the orders, Lieutenant David Forbes submitted to -the punishment inflicted upon him; but, previous to his departure -for Condapillee, he requested the Commander-in-Chief to give him an -opportunity of proving his innocence of the charge laid against him -before a general court martial. The answer he received to this was, -that 'the Commander-in-Chief deemed his application inadmissible:' -but no reason whatever was assigned. Vide letters, No. 3 and 4. -Colonel Innes put Lieutenant Fenwick's name in orders, to succeed to -the situation of Lieutenant Maitland; but that officer begged leave -to decline acceptance of it under the existing circumstances. The -quarter-mastership was then offered to Lieutenant Spankie, who was -told, that if he refused the situation he would be brought to a court -martial; that the regiment would be disbanded, and the officers placed -upon half-pay. Vide the Memorandum, No. 5, written by Lieutenant -Spankie in the presence of Colonel Innes, by whom they were dictated. -He was also desired to recollect the situation of Captain Yard, a -married man with a large family, and to reflect upon the misfortunes -he would bring down upon his brother officers; but if he would accept -the appointment, there were favours for the regiment in contemplation -of Government. Thus the fate of a regiment, and the favours or frowns -of a Government, depended upon the will of an individual; and officers -of all ranks were to be punished, if his conduct (over which they had -no control) proved unsatisfactory!--Vide letter, No. 6, from Colonel -Innes to Lieutenant Spankie.--On the receipt of the general order -appointing him quarter-master, Lieutenant Spankie did, however, send -a letter to the Honourable the Governor in Council; and upon Colonel -Innes's refusal to forward it through the regular channel, he forwarded -it direct, in which he requested to relinquish the situation.--Vide -letter, No. 7.--To this letter no answer was ever returned. At the -same time that Colonel Innes forwarded the application of Lieutenant -D. Forbes for a court martial, he transmitted an official statement -of what had occurred at the regimental mess, in his presence, on -the evening of the 7th ult. When Lieutenant Maitland was acquainted -with this circumstance, he applied to him for a copy of such parts -as concerned himself.--Vide letter, No. 8.--Colonel Innes refused to -comply with this request, stating that Government would be guided by -his report of that day, and decide accordingly. He also mentioned, -that, as far as he knew, private information would not have been -acted upon, had the expected apology been made; and he imputed to -Lieutenant Maitland an observation which he said was made at the mess -that evening regarding the Hyderabad subsidiary force.--Vide letter, -No. 9.---Lieutenant Maitland informed him, in reply, that, until the -receipt of his note of this day, he did not know for what words or -actions of his an apology had been required, and most solemnly denied -having made any observations regarding the Hyderabad subsidiary force -on the night alluded to, or at any other time, in Colonel Innes's -presence.--Vide letter, No. 10.--The letter, No. 11, was signed by -every officer present with the regiment, excepting one, to whom it was -not sent. On the receipt of it, Colonel Innes wrote an official note -to the adjutant, in which he promised to forward the above letter, and -requesting the officers of the regiment, who were present at the mess -on the 7th ult., to draw up a statement of the circumstances which -induced him to quit the mess-room on the evening of that day.--Vide -letter, No. 12.--The letter, No. 13, is a copy of their answer. On the -2d of June arrived an order, directing Lieutenant D. Forbes to proceed -forthwith to the Presidency, and there to embark for Penang for the -purpose of taking charge of a few men of the regiment stationed at -that island. Lieutenant Maitland was at the same time ordered to hold -himself in readiness with thirty men of the regiment to go on board -the Samarang sloop of war, as marines. In consequence of this order, -a deputation from the officers of the Madras European regiment waited -upon Colonel Innes, and earnestly requested him to select two other -officers for the above duties. They strongly pressed upon him the -impropriety of selecting two officers whose conduct had been branded -in orders. If those gentlemen had been guilty of conduct contrary to -every principle of military subordination, they were unfit to be sent -on command with that stigma hanging over them; and if innocent, as -the officers of the regiment asserted them to be, they ought not to -be ordered from the coast until an investigation should take place, -and the charge as publicly retracted as it had been preferred. It is -here necessary to observe, that during the conference between Colonel -Innes and the deputation, he read to them an extract from a letter -received from the Commander-in-Chief, threatening the regiment's being -disbanded. Respecting Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland, he said he could -not select two others, as those officers had been nominated by the -Commander-in-Chief. He acknowledged that he might have been mistaken -as to Lieutenant Maitland's person, and that he now saw the matter -in a different light to what he did at first. He also said, that the -letter, No. 1, should be expunged from the orderly books; and that if -Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland would offer some slight apology, he -would endeavour to get the latter reinstated in his appointment. The -apology was positively refused. - -"Upon a candid consideration of the preceding circumstances, it will -not excite surprise when we state, that alarm and indignation were -excited in the minds of the officers. The false aspersions cast upon -their characters might have tended to have lowered them in the opinion -of the men, ignorant as they must have been of the circumstances which -occasioned it. The two officers were naturally supposed to have been -selected for some punishment, as Colonel Innes had publicly declared -that such was the intention by their being appointed to those commands. -At any rate, their feelings had been wounded by the severe reflections -against them, contained in the letter of the Commander-in-Chief, which -was published to the regiment. A court martial had been positively -refused to the application of one of those injured officers, which was -the only means he knew to clear up his character before the world. - -"All the circumstances above stated took place previous to the 10th of -June. We afterwards found that two more detachments were ordered from -the Madras European regiment, to act as marines. We found that the -officers of various stations concurred in opinion with the officers -of this garrison regarding the illegality of the order respecting -Lieutenants Forbes and Maitland, and the unjust treatment experienced -by the Madras European regiment in general; and we heard from different -quarters, that it really was intended to disband the regiment, which -circumstances rendered extremely probable. On the arrival, therefore, -of the Piedmontese and Samarang ships of war, a deputation from the -officers of the garrison waited upon Colonel Innes, and requested him -to suspend the execution of the orders regarding the three detachments -of marines, until we had made a representation on the subject to the -Commander-in-Chief, for the decision of the Honourable the Governor -in Council. With this request he positively refused to comply, and -threatened to enforce obedience to his orders by an appeal to the -men. Next day he seemed determined to abide by the resolution he had -expressed to the deputation, but appeared to be sensible that the -officers ordered to act as marines would not be allowed to embark, and -that the men respected their officers too much to go without them. - -"He therefore stated, his determination to carry his orders into -execution, with the assistance of the detachments of H. M. 59th -regiment, the artillery, and a body of men which he said would be -landed from H. M. ships then in the roads, as more particularly -mentioned in the reasons signed by the deputation, and forwarded to -head-quarters by Major Storey, with his official account of what -occurred here on the 25th June." - - - - -APPENDIX -TO THE -STATEMENT OF LIEUT.-COLONEL INNES. - - - _Copy of regimental Orders published by Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES - _in the Orderly Book of the Madras European Regiment_. - -R. O. BY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES. -Masulipatam, 22d May, 1809. - -Lieutenant David Forbes, of the Madras European regiment, is appointed -to command at Condapilly, and directed to proceed to that station in -the course of twenty-four hours after the publication of this order. -The officer now in command of that garrison is directed to join his -corps on being relieved by Lieutenant Forbes, who will not be permitted -to be absent from Condapilly unless it becomes necessary for his health. - -The following letter is published for the information of the officers -of the Madras European regiment, in conformity with which Lieutenant -Maitland is removed from the appointment of quarter-master, and -Lieutenant Fenwick is appointed to act as quarter-master, and to take -charge of the office immediately, till further orders. - - -_To the Officer Commanding, or Senior Officer in charge of the Madras -European Regiment._ - -SIR, - -It having come to the knowledge of the officer commanding the army, -that conduct highly indecorous, and contrary to every principle -of military subordination, was observed at the mess of the Madras -European regiment on the 7th instant, and that Lieutenant David -Forbes and Lieutenant and Quarter-Master Maitland were the authors -and supporters of it, I am directed to desire that you will express -to the officers of the M. E. regiment the officer commanding the -army's highest disapprobation of such conduct; and inform them, that -a repetition of such irregularity will involve the whole corps in the -severest penalty to which such insubordinate proceedings are liable; -but which, however, from the benefit of your example, the officer -commanding the army is yet disposed to think it will be unnecessary -to resort to. Notwithstanding this hope, the officer commanding the -army feels himself called upon to mark, by a suitable example, the -authors of the exceptionable conduct that has come to his notice; and, -with that view, has taken upon himself to anticipate the sanction of -the Honourable the Governor in Council for the removal of Lieutenant -Maitland from the situation of quarter-master of the Madras European -regiment. For this purpose, I am directed by the officer commanding -the army to desire that you will remove Lieutenant Maitland from the -charge of the appointment of quarter-master of the regiment, and that -you will yourself appoint to succeed him the subaltern officer whose -conduct you most approve, and forward his name to this office, that -the officer commanding the army may recommend to Government to confirm -your selection. Lieutenant David Forbes you will be pleased to appoint -to command at Condapilly, and direct him to proceed in twenty-four -hours after the publication of your orders, directing the officer now -there to return to join his corps. And it is the officer commanding the -army's further orders, that Lieutenant Forbes may not be permitted to -be absent from Condapilly, unless it become necessary for his health. - -(Signed) J. H. S. CONWAY, -Adjutant-General. - -Adjutant-General's Office, -17th May, 1809. - - - No. II. - - _Copy of a Letter addressed to Lieutenant_ NIXON, _Adjutant of the - Madras European Regiment_. - -DEAR SIR, - -I previously intimated to you, and some of the other officers of the -corps, that I would not report what passed on the 7th instant at the -mess _officially_. That I mentioned the circumstances _privately_, I -acknowledge, knowing that if I omitted to do so, other accounts would -soon reach Madras. I have now stated the circumstances officially to -head-quarters. - -Yours truly, -(Signed) J. INNES, M. E. Regt. - -Masulipatam, -24th May, 1809. - - - No. III. - - _Copy of an Application from Lieutenant_ D. FORBES _for a Court - Martial_. - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES, COMMANDING THE MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT. - -SIR, - -As the information which the officer commanding the army in chief has -received of my conduct at the regimental mess on the evening of the -7th instant must have been extremely incorrect; in vindication of my -character, I have requested, in the accompanying letter, a public -investigation, and beg you will forward it to the Adjutant-General of -the army. - -(Signed) D. FORBES, -Lieutenant of the Madras -European Regiment. - -Masulipatam, -22d May, 1809. - - -TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY. - -SIR, - -Having been accused, in the copy of a letter from you, published in -regimental orders of the 22d instant, of being one of the "authors -and supporters of conduct highly indecorous, and contrary to every -principle of military subordination," I beg leave to request, that I -may be allowed the privilege of being allowed attempting to prove my -innocence of that most serious charge before a general court martial; -and I have to request that you will lay this my desire before the -officer commanding the army in chief. - -(Signed) D. FORBES, -Lieutenant of the Madras -European Regiment. - -Masulipatam, -22d May, 1809. - - - _Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to the Adjutant-General - of the Army_. - -Fort St. George. - -SIR, - -I have the honour herewith to transmit to you an official note, -received last night, from Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European -regiment, with one to your address; both of which I request may be -submitted to the Commander-in-Chief. - -If Lieutenant Forbes's application is complied with, every young -officer under my command will soon be making similar applications to -head-quarters. - -The gross and public disrespect shown by Lieutenants D. Forbes -and Maitland, of the Madras European regiment, at the regimental -mess of that corps, on the night of the 7th instant, so derogatory -to the dignity of the Honourable the Governor in Council and -Commander-in-Chief, from the observations made by these officers on the -Government orders and those of the Commander-in-Chief, then received, -dated 1st May; as also on the steady conduct of the native troops at -Hyderabad, which was instantly noticed by me, calling upon Lieutenant -D. Forbes to change the _toast_ he proposed from the _friends of the -army_ to that of the _Madras army_, which was pointedly rejected, and -the former one repeated, with three times three, obliging me to quit -the mess-room; and for which improper conduct Lieutenants Forbes and -Maitland subsequently declined to make an apology. I therefore feel it -now my duty to report the circumstance officially, for the information -of the Honourable the Governor in Council, and Commander-in-Chief. - -(Signed) JAMES INNES, -Lieut.-Colonel commanding at -Masulipatam. - -Masulipatam, -24th May, 1809. - - - _Letter from the Adjutant-General to the Officer commanding the - Northern Division of the Army._ - -SIR, - -The officer commanding the army requests you will nominate Lieutenant -Maitland, of the Madras European regiment, to the command of the -detachment of that corps ordered to serve as marines on board his -Majesty's ship the Fox; and that you will direct Lieutenant D. -Forbes, of the Madras European regiment, to proceed forthwith to the -Presidency, for the purpose of embarking for Prince of Wales Island, to -take charge of the corps doing duty there. - -(Signed) J. H. CONWAY, -Adjutant-General. - -Adjutant-General's Office, -27th May, 1809. - - - IV. - - _Copy of the Reply to the Application of Lieutenant_ D. FORBES. - -TO LIEUTENANT D. FORBES, MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT. - -SIR, - -I have the honour to annex, for your information, extract of a letter -received from the officer commanding the army in chief. - -(Signed) J. INNES, -Lieut.-Colonel in Charge of the -Northern Division of the -Army. - -Masulipatam, -5th June, 1809. - - - EXTRACT, _dated Adjutant-General's Office, 31st May, 1809_. - -"In reply to Lieutenant Colonel Innes's letter of the 24th instant, -I have the honour to inform you, that Lieutenant D. Forbes's letter, -applying to be tried by a general court martial, has been submitted -to the officer commanding the army, who deems that officer's request -inadmissible." - -(A true extract.) -(Signed) J. INNES, -Lieut.-Colonel in Charge of the -Northern Division of the Army. - - - No. V. - - _Memorandum written in the Presence of Colonel_ INNES, _and dictated - by him_. - -"1st. Provided I (Lieutenant Spankie) do not accept of the situation of -quarter-master to the Madras European regiment, I must be brought to a -court martial for disobedience of orders. - -"2dly. If I (Lieutenant S.) still persist in refusing the situation, -the regiment will be reduced, and every officer not on the general -staff placed on half-pay. - -"3dly. In the event of my accepting this situation, other plans of a -much more pleasant nature have been in contemplation for the regiment, -which the officers seem determined to put a stop to." - - - No. VI. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to Lieutenant_ - SPANKIE. - -MY DEAR SIR, - -I believe I forgot to remark, that your situation and Lieutenant -Fennick's are very different now. Under existing circumstances it was -equally proper for him to decline accepting of the quarter-mastership, -as it is absolutely proper and necessary that you should accede to the -General's wishes, to serve a whole regiment. Think of this. - -Yours truly, -(Signed) J. INNES. - - - No. VII. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant_ SPANKIE _to the Honourable Sir_ - G. BARLOW, _Bart. K. B. Governor in Council, Fort St. George_. - -HONOURABLE SIR, - -I have the honour to request you to accept my resignation of the -situation of quarter-master of the Madras European regiment. I have -signed an official paper, in which I have declared, that I conceive -Lieutenant Maitland has been removed from his appointment in -consequence of an erroneous report of his conduct having come to the -knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief, and this is still my decided -opinion. On this account, and to prevent my being removed on private -information, without having an opportunity of getting my conduct -publicly investigated, I hope you will do me the favour to comply with -my most earnest request to be permitted to relinquish a situation which -I cannot hold, and at the same time retain the good opinion of my -brother officers. - -(Signed) J. S. SPANKIE, -Lieutenant of the Madras -European Regiment. - - - No. VIII. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant_ MAITLAND _to Lieutenant-Colonel_ - INNES. - -SIR, - -I have this moment understood that you have found it necessary to -report my conduct to the Commander-in-Chief. As I am not conscious of -any misconduct, it is probable I may have something to allege in my -defence; I therefore beg leave to request a copy of your report, or at -least to be made acquainted with its purport. - -(Signed) G. G. MAITLAND, -Lieutenant of the Madras European -Regiment. - -Masulipatam, -24th May, 1809. - - - No. IX. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to Lieutenant_ - MAITLAND. - -SIR, - -Under existing circumstances, I deem your application inadmissible. -Government will be guided by my report of this day, and will decide -accordingly. So far as relates to yourself, you may apply to the -Adjutant-General of the army for a copy. I am left to regret that you -and Lieutenant Forbes did not make the _required apology_ for your -conduct on the 7th instant. Had you done so, as I requested, private -information would not have been acted upon, as far as I know. Matters -must now take their course. I will still forward any explanations you -may state to me with respect to the _observations you made_ at the -_mess_ on the 7th instant, so _publicly_, with respect to the Nizam's -detachment, and officers who are not friends of the army. - -(Signed) J. INNES, Lieut.-Col. - - - No. X. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant_ MAITLAND _to Lieutenant-Colonel_ - INNES. - -SIR, - -I am sorry that circumstances exist to subject me to be condemned -unheard for a time. I hope Government will not decide upon your report -until I have an opportunity of defending myself; which, according to -your letter, I must look for from the Adjutant-General of the army. -Until I received your letter this day, I never knew for what words or -actions of mine an apology was required; or I most solemnly deny ever -having given any opinion, in any way, regarding the Nizam's detachment -and its officers, that night, or at any other time, in your presence. - -(Signed) G. G. MAITLAND, -Lieutenant of the Madras European -Regiment. - -Masulipatam, -24th May, 1809. - - - No. XI. - - _Copy of a Letter from the Officers of the Madras European Regiment - to the Adjutant-General of the Army._ - -SIR, - -It was with the most extreme concern that in our regimental orders of -the 22d instant we found a copy of a letter from you, by which we were -informed, that it had come to the knowledge of the officer commanding -the army, that conduct highly indecorous, and contrary to every -principle of military subordination, had been observed at the mess of -the Madras European regiment on the 7th instant. We beg leave to assure -you, for the information of Major-General Gowdie, that it appears to us -that the account he has received of the conduct of those officers, who -were present at the mess on that evening, must have been erroneous. - -We cannot help lamenting that such a stigma on the character of so -numerous a body of officers as we form, should have been thus publicly -thrown out, before we had been furnished with a copy of the report -that has been made against us. - -We have seen, with the deepest regret, two of our brother officers -punished, without being specifically informed what part of their -conduct at the regimental mess induced the officer commanding the army -to suppose them to have been guilty of the serious crime with which -they are charged; and we naturally feel considerable apprehension -lest "the whole corps should," in a similar manner, "be involved in -the severest penalty to which insubordinate proceedings are liable." -We trust, therefore, that you will state to Major-General Gowdie -our confident hope that he will have the goodness to direct us to -be furnished with a copy of the information which he has received -regarding the conduct observed at the mess on the night of the 7th -instant. When we receive this, we have no doubt of being able to -convince the officer commanding the army in chief, that the conduct -of those who were present on that occasion did by no means merit the -severe censure with which it has been marked. - -Signed by all the Officers present with the regiment, except one, -to whom it was not presented. - -Masulipatam, -27th May, 1809. - - - _Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to the Adjutant-General - of the army_. - -SIR, - -I have the honour to forward to you an address from the officers of my -corps, which they wish to be submitted to the Commander-in-Chief. - -To elucidate the subject, I now transmit a copy of my note written -to the officers of my corps the moment I got their letter yesterday; -and when I receive the document called for, it shall be handed to you -directly, with every comment I deem requisite to make on it. They go -herewith. - -(Signed) JAMES INNES, -Lieut.-Col. M. E. regiment, in -charge N. D. of the army. - -Masulipatam, -28th May, 1809. - - - _Copy of a Letter from the Adjutant-General to the Officer - commanding the Northern Division of the Army._ - -SIR, - -I have had the honour to submit your letter of the 28th ult. with its -enclosures, to the officer commanding the army, by whom I am directed -to acquaint you, that he regrets you should have entered into any -correspondence with the officers of the M. E. regiment on the subject, -or deemed it necessary to forward their letter to head-quarters, as his -decision was not adopted without due consideration, and is final. - -If Lieutenant Forbes's presence is required by the Court of Inquiry now -sitting at Masulipatam, you will be pleased to order him to attend. - -(Signed) J. H. CONWAY, -Adjutant-General. - -Adjutant-General's Office, -8th June, 1809. -(True Copies.) - - - No. XII. - - _Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES _to Lieutenant - and Adjutant_ NIXON. - -SIR, - -I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of an address from the -officers of the Madras European regiment to the Adjutant-General of -the army, which shall be forwarded to be submitted to the officer -commanding the army in chief. I have therefore to direct, that a -_statement_ of the _circumstances_ which passed on the 7th instant in -the mess-room of the Madras European regiment, may be made out by the -gentlemen of the corps now present, who dined at the mess-room on that -day, which obliged me to quit the mess-room of the corps. No apology -was ever subsequently made to me, although required and expected, by -Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland, (as it was their duty to do,) for -the pointed disrespect shown by them to the dignity of the Honourable -the Governor in Council, and Commander-in-Chief, in my presence, their -immediate commanding officer. - -(Signed) J. INNES, -Lieut.-Col. M. E. regiment, in -charge N. D. of the army. - -Masulipatam, -27th May, 1809. - - - No. XIII. - - _Copy of the Reply of the Officers of the Madras European Regiment - to the above Letter._ - -TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL INNES, -COMMANDING THE MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT. - -SIR, - -Agreeably to your orders, communicated to us by Lieutenant and -Adjutant Nixon, we have the honour to state, that we were present at -the regimental mess on the evening of the 7th instant, and that it -was with considerable astonishment we observed you leave the mess so -abruptly. We are unable to say what was the occasion of your doing so. -"The friends of the army" was proposed as a toast, and we conceived -it to be one that would not have been objected to; but as you wished -to alter it, and rose from table when it was about to be drank, we -conjectured it had given you offence, and that it was on this account -you left the mess. So far from observing any pointed disrespect, we -did not notice any disrespect whatever, shown by Lieutenant D. Forbes -or Lieutenant Maitland to the dignity of the Governor in Council, and -Commander-in-Chief, in your presence; and until we see the account you -have forwarded on the subject to head-quarters, we shall be at a loss -to suppose what part of their conduct on the night alluded to appeared -to you to be exceptionable. - -Signed by all the Officers present -with the mess on the 7th instant. - - - SUBSTANCE _of the Deposition of Lieutenant_ NIXON, _Adjutant_. - -Lieutenant and Adjutant Nixon informs Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, -that the best opinion he can form, from his communication with -confidential men, is, that the non-commissioned, rank and file, of the -Madras European regiment, were alarmed in consequence of the measures -adopted towards their officers, Lieutenants D. Forbes and Maitland, -and the threat held out in the Adjutant-General's letter, (published -in the regimental orderly book,) lest the most severe penalty might -be inflicted on the regiment; conjecturing that they must either -be disbanded, transported, or other ways disposed of, by way of -punishment, on a repetition of similar conduct of their officers. To -use their own expression, it was a general saying, "that they might as -well order out one of us to be flogged or hanged up:" and certainly, -in my opinion, from that period great discontent prevailed amongst the -men. This discontent considerably increased from the order respecting -the marines nominating Lieutenant Maitland in particular, and directing -Lieutenant D. Forbes to proceed to Penang; and afterwards by two other -detachments being ordered on marine service, to which they said, that -they did not enlist to come to India as marines. They were also led -to believe, from the ship's boat that landed here, that no marines -were required for the ships in the roads, but that they wanted seamen -only, and consequently supposed they were to be turned over to the -navy. These points were most deeply impressed upon their minds by a -communication which was believed to have come from the high authority -of the Commander-in-Chief, that the regiment was to be disbanded, and -the officers put on half pay, in case Lieutenant Spankie should not -accept of the station of quarter-master. - -Lieutenant Nixon further states, that considerable discontent exists in -consequence of the great number of men in the regiment who enlisted for -general service, "time unlimited," prior to Mr. Windham's act; and that -they consider it a hardship that they should not be admitted to the -full benefit of the act in point of limited service. - -Another cause of discontent is, that the regiment has not its tour of -duty in the field, and change of station, with his Majesty's corps. - -Masulipatam, -21st July, 1809. - - - No. XIV. - - EXTRACT _from a Letter dated 28th May, 1809_. - -TO LIEUTENANT NIXON, -ADJUTANT MADRAS EUROPEAN REGIMENT. - -SIR, - -I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this -day's date, with the statement I thought proper to order to be made -out in my note of last night to you, for the information of the -officer commanding the army in chief. I shall now merely confine -myself to remarking to the officers whose names appear to the -letter now received, that had they not made observations on the -late general orders of the Honourable the Governor in Council and -Commander-in-Chief, and remarks on the steady conduct of the officers -of the subsidiary force at Hyderabad, as also on officers "in the -army" who are not the _friends of the army_, I should not have quitted -the table at mess-room _merely_ because "the friends of the army" was -proposed as a toast, which I requested might be changed to the _Madras -army_; and when not acceded to, I felt myself called upon to quit -the mess-room. Very fortunately there were many strangers present at -dinner, as well as myself, whose recollection of what passed on that -day may be able to elucidate this subject, should the Honourable the -Governor in Council and Commander-in-Chief deem it requisite to call -upon them for this purpose. - -(Signed) JAMES INNES, -Lieut.-Col. M. E. Regiment, in -charge N. D. of the Army. - - - EXTRACT _from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES, - _dated 1st June, 1809_. - -"A detail, consisting of a subaltern, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, and -30 privates, belonging to the Madras European regiment, to be held in -readiness to embark at a short notice on board the Fox frigate, to -serve as marines. The officer commanding the Madras European regiment -will give the requisite orders for the equipment of the above detail, -which Lieutenant Maitland is appointed to command. - -"Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European regiment is relieved from -the command of Condapillee, and directed to proceed forthwith to the -Presidency, for the purpose of embarking for Prince of Wales's Island, -to take charge of the detail of the corps doing duty there. - -"Ensign Dickson, 1st battalion 19th regiment native infantry, is -reappointed to command at Condapillee, and directed to proceed to that -station with the least delay, to relieve Lieutenant D. Forbes of the -Madras European regiment. The detail above named is to be struck off -garrison duty. - -(Signed) "JAMES INNES, -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge -of the N. D. of the Army." - - - EXTRACT _from Regimental Orders_. - -"Madras European Regiment, 2d June, 1809. - -"A roll of the detail ordered on board the Fox frigate, to serve as -marines, to be sent to the paymaster, to enable him to furnish them -with a pay certificate. The roll alluded to, when ready, is to be -inserted in the regimental orderly book. Every thing requisite from the -regimental stores to equip the detail, is to be indented for directly, -that the whole may be prepared to embark at an hour's notice. Pay is -ordered to be issued to the detail alluded to above. - -"The commanding officer has approved of the arrangement made for the -detail directed to embark; but as Lieutenant Maitland has expressed a -wish to the adjutant to make some exchanges of the non-commissioned -officers, accedes to the wishes of Lieutenant Maitland, provided the -officers commanding the companies to whom they belong consent to the -exchange; otherwise those already ordered will go." - - - EXTRACT _from General Orders, 2d June_. - -"Pay in advance for June, and arrears for May, to be issued to the -troops under orders of embarkation in the course of this day, to enable -them to prepare for their passage to the Presidency in the Fox frigate." - - - EXTRACT _from Regimental Orders, Madras European Regiment, dated 3d - June, 1809_. - -"The adjutant will furnish Lieutenant Maitland with a roll of his -detachment; and officers commanding companies are directed to send -to that officer the pay advanced (as in yesterday's orders) for the -detachment ordered as marines." - - - EXTRACT _from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES. - -"Lieutenant Dixon of the 1st battalion 19th regiment native infantry, -having joined his corps this morning with the detachment from -Condapillee, is directed to resume the command of that station to -morrow, to relieve Lieutenant D. Forbes, in conformity with the -Division Orders of the 1st instant, and will be provided with a -passport by the acting fort-adjutant. - -(Signed) "JAMES INNES, -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge -of the N. D. of the Army." - -"Masulipatam, -"5th June, 1809." - - - EXTRACT _from Regimental Orders, Madras European Regiment, - June 6th, 1809_. - -"The commanding officer having taken upon himself to grant family -certificates to the detail ordered on board his Majesty's ship Fox, -Lieutenant Maitland is requested to refer to the last order issued upon -this subject, which it will be requisite to attend minutely, to prevent -retrenchments hereafter." - - - EXTRACT _from Division Orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel_ INNES, - _7th June, 1809_. - -"The detail ordered from the Madras European regiment is now reduced to -1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 1 drum, and 26 privates,--in all -30,--to be held in readiness to embark at a moment's notice on board -the Samarang sloop of war, hourly expected. - -(Signed) "J. INNES, -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge -of the N. D. of the Army." - - - EXTRACT _from Garrison Orders, 13th June, 1809_. - -"Lieutenant D. Forbes of the Madras European regiment being summoned as -an evidence, by an Ensign Baker, to attend the Court of Inquiry ordered -to assemble for the purpose of investigating the conduct of Ensign -Baker, Lieutenant D. Forbes is consequently directed to remain here -till further orders." - - - EXTRACT _from Garrison Orders, 20th June, 1809_. - -"The detail from the Madras European regiment, ordered to be held in -readiness to serve as marines on board the Samarang sloop of war, are -directed to join their respective companies, and to do garrison duty -till further orders; but to be considered as under Division Orders to -embark on a short notice." - - - EXTRACT _from Division Orders by Lieutenant-Colonel_ JAMES INNES, - _dated 23d June, 1809_. - -"Two detachments from the Madras European regiment to be held in -readiness to embark, at a short notice, on board of such of his -Majesty's ships as may be prepared to receive them, to serve as -marines, and to consist of the following strength; viz. - -"One detachment, to be composed of 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 3 -corporals, and 35 privates; making a total of 41. - -"The other, of 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, and 27 -privates--31 total. Such men as wish to have family certificates are to -be provided with them by the officers under whose command they may be -placed immediately. - -"No time being fixed for the embarkation of the above details, they are -to be considered on the strength of the garrison, (as also Lieutenant -Maitland's party,) till further orders. - -(Signed) "JAMES INNES, -"Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge -of the N. D. of the Army." - - - EXTRACT _from Regimental Orders, June 24th, 1809_. - -"Lieutenants Lawless and Carbery to indent for ammunition and every -thing requisite to complete their respective detachments directly. - -"Should Lieutenant-Colonel Innes receive any additional information -from the ships, he will write to Lieutenant Nixon instantly." - - - SUBSTANCE _of a Verbal Declaration made by Major_ STOREY. - -Major Storey declared to Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm, that he was fully -satisfied, that if Lieutenant-Colonel Innes had persisted in the plan -he adopted for the coercion of the garrison, there must have been -immediate bloodshed; and he (Major Storey) was assured, from what he -knew of the general temper of the officers of the Company's army at -the moment, that such an occurrence, whatever was its issue, would -have produced an insurrection against the authority of Government in -many other quarters. This belief, Major Storey declares, was the chief -motive that made him take the step he did. - - - FINIS. - - - J. MOYES, PRINTER, - Greville Street, Hatton Garden, London. - - - - -Transcriber's Notes - - -Obvious punctuation errors repaired. - -Inconsistent hyphenation fixed. - -P. 138: one of the most serious crisis -> one of the most serious -crises. - -P. 158: a gentlemen sung a sea-song -> a gentleman sung a sea-song. - -P. 176: after a dicussion -> after a discussion. - -P. 219: Lieutenants D. Forbes -> Lieutenant D. 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