IN CHAPTER XV. East India Affairs. N the close of December, 1816, a dispatch was sent from Major Lushington, commander of the 4th regiment of Madras light cavalry, to the hon. Mr. Elphinstone, British resident at Poonah, giving an account of his expedition against the Pindarces. These people had made their appearance at Sogaum early on the 25th, on which account the Major had advanced his regiment towards that place on the 26th. He reached Sogaum at seven in the morning, where he learned that a body of Pindarees, consisting of between two and three thousand, had attacked Sogaum on the morning of the 25th, and being beat off, had taken the road to Kame. Major Lushington, after making the necessary rangements for the protection of his gun-troops and rear-guard, proceeded with 330 rank and file to Kame, where he arrived at noon, being a march of twenty miles. He halted for a short time to refresh his men and horses, and then pushed on to Pepree, where he was informed that the Pindarees, were at Cowah, taking their meal. Moving on at a brisk pace, the Major surprised the enemy when within a thousand yards of them; and though they were on horseback, within two minutes, they were instantly flying in all directions. The pursuit was conducted with so much ardour during a ar space of ten miles, that their loss in killed and wounded was computed at not less than 7 or 800 men, besides a great number rendered incapable of following their plundering excursions for want of horses. The only casualty left for the Major to report was, that of Captain Drake, a gallant officer, who fell by a thrust of a spear. A Calcutta Government Gazette of the 10th of April states, that accounts from the banks of the Nerbudda of the middle of March mention that the intrepid Captain Caulfield had again distinguished himself in a successful attack on the Pindarees. the Pindarees. Having received accurate information of the encampment of their leader, Shoikh Doleah, at the head of a large body of horse, he marched to the spot with two companies of the tenth infantry, and a squadron of cavalry, and came upon them un perceived near Hendia. The Pindarees immediately rushed into the Nerbudda with the hope of fording that river; but in the attempt a very considerable number were cut to pieces or drowned, and the chief was supposed to have fallen on this occasion. The immediate cause of these disturbances appears to have been the irruption of a party of marauders, supposed to have been from the Mahratta frontier, which had entered the Cuttack district through through Goomsir; and being joined by a multitude of vagabonds from the Pergunnah of Khoordah, the insurrection soon assumed an alarming character. They took the town of Khoordah, and then proceeded to Piply, situated midway between Cuttack and Jaggernaut, with a view of cutting off the communication between those two places, and particularly of securing the person of the Rajah of Khoordah, who is high-priest of the temple, and hereditary sweeper of the great idol. The same Gazette on April the 24th proceeds to communicate information respecting Cuttack and its district. After its conquest by the British, the pergunnah of Khoordah was remarkable for its hostility to the English government; and it was found necessary for the purpose of securing temporary tranquillity to take charge of the person of the Rajah, then a young man, and retain him in custody at Midnapore. When all opposition was subdued, the Rajah was restored to his functions in the temple, and was allowed a malikanu of twenty-four per cent. being more than double the amount given in ordinary cases. Since the above was drawn up, further accounts have been received from Cuttack up to the 16th. Captain Wallington had fortified a bungalow at Jaggernaut, and surrounded his small camp with a mud wall about seven feet high; and had thrown out wickets on every side, and was prepared against attack. On the 13th several columns of insurgents rushed forwards to assault him, but were soon obliged to retreat with loss. They made a second attack, led on by the son of the Dewau of the Khorrdah Rajah; but having lost in the action seventeen killed and about a hundred wounded, they again hastily retired, and were pursued to the end of the town. Six were taken prisoners, from whose account it appeared that the Rajah was the mainspring of the disturbance. Jugbundoo being informed of the defeat of the parties which had been sent against Captain Wallington, immediately pushed out to Jaggernaut at the head of some thousand insurgents; and having surrounded the fort and placed picquets in every direction, he began to erect a battery with two great guns. Captain Wallington thinking it impossible with his small force to make any impression upon so formidable a multitude, retired in the middle of the night, and reached Cuttack with his treasure on the 16th. The Bombay Courier of April the 26th conveys information, that a large body of freebooting horse, who were encamped on the banks of the Peira, about 11 miles N.W. of Soonje Ramaney, were surprised in their camp by a detachment of the Madras army, under the command of Major Smith. Two companies of the first of the third, and the first of the second, and the flank companies of the 14th Madras Native Infantry, marched from the banks of the Beema in pursuit of a body of horse; and continuing the chace with extraordinary perseverance for four days and five nights, came up with them, just as they were preparing for a march on the 17th of April. The nature of the ground preventing the infantry from ་ It is not contained in any of the specified powers granted to Congress; nor can I consider it in cidental to, or a necessary mean, viewed on the most liberal scale, for carrying into effect any of the powers which are specifically granted. In communicating this result, I cannot resist the obligation which I feel to suggest to Congress the propriety of recommending to the States the adoption of an amendment to the constitution, which shall give to Congress the right in question. In cases of doubtful construction, especially of such vital interest, it comports with the nature and origin of our institutions, and will contribute much to preserve them, to apply to our constituents for an explicit grant of the power. We may confidently rely, that if it appears to their satisfaction that the power is necessary, it will always be granted. In this case I am happy to observe that experience has afforded the most ample proof of its utility, and that the benign spirit of conciliation and harmony which now manifests itself throughout our Union, promises to such a recommendation the most prompt and favourable result. I think proper to suggest also, in case this measure is adopted, that it be recommended to the States to include in the amendment sought, a right in Congress to institute, likewise, seminaries of learning, for the all-important purpose of diffusing knowledge among our fellowcitizens throughout the United States. "Our manufactories will re quire the continued attention of Congress. The capital employed in them is considerable, and the knowledge acquired in the machinery and fabric of all the most useful manufactures is of great value. Their preservation, which depends on due encouragement, is connected with the high inte-` rests of the nation. "Although the progress of the public buildings has been as favourable as circumstances have permitted, it is to be regretted that the Capitol is not yet in a state to receive you. There is good cause to presume that the two wings, the only parts as yet commenced, will be prepared for that purpose at the next session. The time seems now to have arrived when this subject may be deemed worthy the attention of Congress, on a scale adequate to national purposes. The completion of the middle building will be necessary to the convenient accommodation of Congress, of the Committees, and various offices belonging to it. It is evident that the other public buildings are altogether insufficient for the accommodation of the several executive departments, some of which are much crowded, and even subjected to the necessity of obtaining it in private buildings, at some distance from the head of the department, and with inconve nience to the management of the public business. Most nations have taken an interest and a pride in the improvement and ornament of their metropolis, and none were more conspicuous in that respect than the ancient republics. The policy which dictated the establishment of a permanent residence for the national government, and the spirit in which it was com menced menced and has been prosecuted, show that such improvement was thought worthy the attention of this nation. Its central position, between the northern and southern extremities of our union, and its approach to the west, at the head of a great navigable river which interlocks with the western waters, prove the wisdom of the councils which established it. Nothing appears to be more reasonable and proper than that convenient accommodations should be provided, on a well-digested plan, for the heads of the several departments, and for the AttorneyGeneral; and it is believed that the public ground in the city, applied to those objects, will be found amply sufficient. I submit this subject to the consideration of Congress, that such further provision may be made in it as to them may seem proper. "In contemplating the happy situation of the United States, our attention is drawn, with peculiar interest, to the surviving officers and soldiers of our revolutionary army, who so eminently contributed, by their services, to lay its foundation. Most of those very meritorious citizens have paid the debt of nature, and gone to repose. It is believed that among the survivors there are some not provided for by existing laws, who are reduced to indigence, and even to real distress. These men have a claim on the gratitude of their country, and it will do honour to their country to provide for them. The lapse of a few years more, and the opportunity will be for ever lost: indeed, so long already has been the interval, that the number to be benefited by any provision which may be made will not be great.. "It appearing in a satisfactory manner that the revenue arising from imports and tonnage, and from the sale of the public lands, will be fully adequate to the support of the civil government, of the present military and naval establishments, including the annual augmentation of the latter, to the extent provided for, to the payment of the interests on the public debt, and to the extinguishment of it at the times authorised, without the aid of internal taxes; I consider it my duty to recommend to Congress their repeal. To impose taxes, when the public exigencies require them, is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people. The faithful fulfilment of it is among the highest proofs of their virtue, and capacity for self-government. To dispense with taxes, when it may be done with perfect safety, is equally the duty of their representatives. In this instance we have the satisfaction to know that they were imposed when the demand was imperious, and have been sustained with exemplary fidelity. I have to add, that, however gratifying it may be to me, regarding the prosperous and happy condition of our country, to recommend the repeal of these taxes at this time, I shall nevertheless be attentive to events, and, should any future emergency occur, be not less prompt to suggest such measures and burdens as may then be requisite and proper. "JAMES MONROE. "Washington, Dec. 2, 1817," SPANISH from immediately forming a line, they poured a volley into the camp, and then broke into divisions, and marched through the camp. The freebooters got on their horses with uncommon rapidity, and formed behind their camp. As soon as the infantry had got through the camp, Maj. Smith concentrated his detachment. The horse then exchanged a few shot with the foot, and made off, leaving about 60 men, and many more horses, dead on the field. Fort William, July 10. Discussions having occurred be tween the British Government and the Government of Poona, which threatened to shake the amity subsisting between the two States, the Governor-General in Council has the satisfaction to announce the execution of a new treaty between the Honourable Company and his Highness the Peishwa, explaining and amending the articles of the treaty of Bassein, with the addition of certain provisions calculated to improve the alliance, and to promote and render permanent the harmony which both Governments are solicitous to maintain. By command of his Excellency the most Noble the Governor General in Council, July 5. J. ADAM, Act. Chief Sec. to Gov. CHRONICLE. |