CHAPTER XV. War with Persia-Seizure of Herat by the Shah-British Expedition to the Persian Gulf-Defeat of the Persian troops and submission of the Shah-Misunderstanding between the British officials and the Chinese authorities at Canton-Conduct of Sir John Bowring-Attack upon Canton-Discussion on the subject in the House of Commons-Defeat of the Government-Dissolution of Parliament-Popularity of Lord Palmerston-Returns favourable to the Ministry-Indian Mutiny-The Greased Cartridges-Nature and causes of the revolt of the Sepoys-The chupatties-Mutiny at Meerut-Mismanagement of General Hewitt-Escape of the rebels to Delhi-Outbreak and horrible excesses in that city-Gallant conduct of Lieutenant Willoughby-State of Oude-Intrigues of Nana Sahib-Sir Henry LawrenceThe Governor-General's prompt measures-Feeling in Calcutta-Sir Colin Campbell despatched to India-Troops sent out from Britain-Death of General Anson-Forces collected for the Siege of Delhi-Defeat of the rebels in the vicinity of that city-Revolt of the Sepoys at Benares-Disarmament of the Native Troops-Massacre of the European officers at Allahabad. The Moulvie-General Neill's arrival and vigorous measures-Massacre of the Garrison at Jhansi-Outbreak at Aligurh- Lieutenant-Governor Colvin's proceedings-Scindiah - Meeting of the Gwalior Contingent-Holkar-Mutiny of his Contingent at Indore-Outbreak of the Sepoys at Mhow and murder of Colonel Platt-Mutiny at Neemuch- Battle of Sassiah-Life in the Fort of Agra-Death and Character of Mr. ColvinMutiny and massacre at Bareilly, and at Mozuffernuggar-Mr. Wilson at Moradabad-Revolts at Shahjehanpore and Budaon-Terrible tragedy at Futteghur-Cawnpore-Sir Hugh Wheeler-Nana Salib's treachery and fiendish cruelty - Massacre of the Cawnpore Garrison. and to come under obligations not again to interfere with its affairs. Lord Palmerston foresaw that Khiva and Bokhara would shortly be occupied by Russia, and that Cabul and Candahar might before very long be deemed the advanced posts of British India. It had therefore become a matter of great importance that Herat should not fall to a power that was the subservient tool of Russia. He wrote to Lord Clarendon (17th February, 1857)— THE peace which had been inaugurated at the close of the Crimean War was, unfortunately, not of long duration. Indeed, before hostilities with Russia terminated, a little war had broken out between Great Britain and Persia, owing to the occupation of Herat by the Shah, in defiance of engagements which he had undertaken with our Government in 1853. In that year the Persian Government had engaged not to send an army to Herat unless foreign troops should invade that important place. TheyWe are beginning to repel the first openalso engaged to abstain from all interference whatsoever in the internal affairs of Herat, and to relinquish all pretension to any acknowledgment of allegiance or subjection on the part of the people of that city to the Government of Persia. In direct violation of this treaty, the Persian Government, which was bitterly hostile to Britain, invaded the territory of Herat and laid siege to the town, which, after holding out for several months, was ultimately obliged to surrender. It was then formally declared to be annexed to Persia. The remonstrances of the British Government while these operations were being carried on were treated with contempt, and the demand for redress having been persistently evaded, they resolved to compel the Persians by force of arms to evacuate Herat, ing of trenches against India by Russia; and whatever difficulties Ferokh (the Persian ambassador) may make about Afghanistan, we may be sure that Russia is his prompter and secret backer.' An expedition which was promptly despatched to the Persian Gulf attacked and defeated the Persian troops at Reshire, and captured Bushire. The Shah and his advisers, thus made to feel sharply the power of the adversary whom they had provoked, were fain to submit to the terms imposed upon them. A treaty of peace between the Queen of England and His Majesty whose Standard is the Sun' was signed at Paris on the 4th of March. Persia renounced all claim or dominion over Herat and Afghanistan, and all future design or attempt to invade Herat; and, moreover, engaged to refer any future differences she might | having been returned to the demand for have with the Afghan states to the friendly admission to Canton, which the British offices of the British Government. Lord Government had hitherto declined to enPalmerston also availed himself of the force, Sir Michael Seymour, on the 27th, opportunity which this war afforded him opened fire upon some Government buildto obtain the abolition of slavery in the ings at Canton, and shelled a body of Persian Gulf. troops who had taken up their position in the rear of the city. Yeh retaliated by proclamations offering rewards for the heads of the barbarians.' A misunderstanding which took place at this time between the Chinese Government and the British authorities at Canton, was attended with much more serious consequences. Under treaties with China, British vessels were to be subject to consular jurisdiction only; but for some time the local authorities at Canton had shown a determination to abridge or even withhold the privileges which they had bound themselves by treaty to grant. An incident which occurred at this period brought matters to a crisis. A Chinese built lorcha, called the Arrow, had for some time been trading in Chinese waters under the protection of the British flag. While this vessel was lying in the river off Canton, flying the British flag, on the morning of the 8th of October, she was suddenly boarded by a body of men from a Chinese war-junk, who carried off twelve of her fourteen crew on a charge of piracy. Sir John Bowring, governor of Hong Kong, demanded satisfaction from the Chinese commissioner, Yeh; and on his refusal, Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, commander of the British fleet on the China station, was directed to enforce the demand. The seizure of a Chinese junk having failed to produce any effect, the admiral destroyed a number of the forts which defended the approaches to Canton. The twelve men who had been seized were then sent back by Yeh, but as no apology was tendered by the commissioner, our consul refused to receive them, and they were again taken away by the Chinese. At this stage Sir John Bowring thought fit to add to his former demands one for the admission of foreigners to the port and city of Cantona condition of the treaty of 1842 which had hitherto been evaded. No answer On the 29th a body of seamen and marines landed from the fleet, blew open the city gate, and penetrated into the city, but withdrew and re-embarked at sunset. As the Chinese authorities still obstinately refused to comply with Sir John Bowring's demand, the admiral renewed the attack on the 3rd of November, and then, after further waiting in vain for the submission of the Chinese, he assailed, on the 12th and 13th of that month, the Bogue, the Wantung, and the Annunghoy forts, mounting together upwards of 100 guns, and captured them with scarcely any loss. On the night of the 14th December the Chinese set fire to the foreign factories close by Canton, and the buildings were almost entirely destroyed. When the news of these untoward events reached this country, a strong feeling of surprise and dissatisfaction was excited. Lord Derby, on the 24th of February, challenged the action of the British officials at Canton, and of the home Government, who had intimated their intention to defend them; but after a two nights' debate, his resolutions, though supported with great ability by Lords Lyndhurst, Grey, and Ellenborough, were defeated by a majority of thirty-six. The discussion of the question in the House of Commons had a different result. On the 26th of February Mr. Cobden moved-That this House has heard with concern of the conflicts which have occurred between the British and Chinese authorities in the Canton River, and without expressing an opinion as to the extent to which the Government of China may have afforded this country cause of complaint respecting the non-fulfilment | by the indifference which they had shown. of the treaty of 1842, this House considers to the cause of Reform. In consequence, a that the papers which have been laid upon considerable number of those who professed the table fail to establish satisfactory Liberal principles regarded the fate of the grounds for the violent measures resorted Ministry with indifference, and declined to at Canton in the late affair of the Arrow; to vote. The issue was, up to the last and that a Select Committee be appointed moment, doubtful, though it was generally to inquire into the state of our commercial expected that it would be favourable to relations with China.' The debate on Mr. the Government. The question was put Cobden's motion, which was continued for upon the concluding part of Mr. Cobden's four nights, was characterized by extraor- resolution, the first paragraph being withdinary ability, and nearly all the leading drawn, and it was carried by a majority of members of the House, including the ablest sixteen-263 voting for it, and 247 against. lawyers, took part in it. Statesmen of such varied political opinions as Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Roebuck, Sir James Graham, and Mr. Whiteside, joined in the attack on the Government. The defence of their action in this matter mainly rested with Lord Palmerston, who spoke with great vigour and effect. He concluded his speech with some pointed and pungent strictures upon the combination of parties confederated against him, warning the House that it had in its keeping not only the interests and lives of many of their fellow-countrymen, but also the honour and reputation of the country. Mr. Disraeli had said in his speech, 'Let the noble lord who complained that he was the victim of a conspiracy not only complain to the country, but let him appeal to it.' He probably did not think that he would be taken at his word; he certainly did not expect the result which followed that appeal. The next day but one Lord Palmerston announced to the House that as soon as the necessary business could be completed Parliament would be dissolved. Meanwhile no time was lost in despatching to China the Earl of Elgin-'a man with the ability and resolution to insure success, and the native strength that can afford to be merciful-with full powers to carry negoOn the merits of the case taken by tiations with the Chinese to a successful itself, the verdict both of the Parlia- termination. No time was lost in voting a ment and the country would have been provisional budget, arranging the taxes, and given in condemnation of Sir John Bow-passing the Mutiny Bill. Lord Derby ring, whose conduct was handled with great and merited severity by his former Radical associates in the Commons; but as the debate proceeded it became one of confidence or no confidence in the Government. Meetings were held both by the Opposition on the one hand, and by the friends of the Ministry on the other, at each of which resolutions were adopted to exert all their energy to secure the victory of their party. But the question at issue was one on which Conservatives, Peelites, Radicals, and the Manchester school, though differing widely on general politics, could unite, while the Government had alienated a good many of their supporters availed himself of an opportunity, on the second reading of the Income-Tax Bill, to place before the country a programme of the policy of the Conservative party. Mr. Shaw Lefevre, who for nearly eighteen years had filled the chair of the House with unusual approbation and distinguished success, intimated his intention to retire, and was cordially thanked for his services, the members showing their respect by all remaining uncovered while he delivered his farewell address. On Saturday, the 21st of March, the two Houses were prorogued with the usual formalities, by Commission, until the 30th of April. A few hours later a proclamation was issued declaring the Parliament to be dissolved. The new From a combination of such causes as writs were almost immediately sent out, and the new election became the absorbing theme of public attention. these the tide of popular feeling ran strong in Lord Palmerston's favour, and his name became a rallying-cry on every hustings. The 'fortuitous concourse of atoms,' as he apologetically termed his opponents when they denied having combined against him, was scattered to the winds. Many of the leading Peelites lost their seats. The invaluable services rendered to the country by the repeal of the Corn Laws, and of the other injurious restrictions on trade and commerce, did not avail to prevent the defeat of Mr. Cobden at Huddersfield, and of Messrs. Bright and Milner Gibson at Manchester-a result brought about by a discreditable coalition of Conservatives and Whigs. The rejection of Mr. Bright, who was at this time absent from the country in consequence of severe illness, brought on by his zealous labours in the public cause, was an act of signal ingratitude which was deeply regretted throughout the country even at the time-still more after the war fever had subsided. He took leave of his constituents in a dignified and manly address, which must have excited feelings of sympathy, if not of shame, among not a few of his opponents. The question on which the contest mainly turned was purely personal, and had very little connection with the character of the policy which had been condemned by the vote of the House of Commons. Lord Palmerston, in the address which he put forth to the country through the electors of Tiverton, distinctly challenged the verdict of the constituencies as one of confidence or no confidence in his administration, and they responded to the appeal by expressing the fullest confidence in himself. He was at this time personally at the height of his popularity. The country remembered that when other statesmen who had shared the responsibility of commencing the war with Russia had lost heart and shrunk from continuing that great conflict, Lord Palmerston had firmly kept at his post, and carried the contest to a successful issue, both in the field and in the European Congress. They admired the energy, the address, the patriotic spirit of the veteran statesman-his versatility, his unfailing good humour, and gallant bearing in the face of the most formidable opposition and amid the most adverse circumstances. They had no confidence that the various sections that had combined to expel him from office could furnish a Government in whose hands the welfare and honour of the country would be safe. The news of a success-legal reform, but about the middle of June ful termination of the Persian War came in time to animate and aid his supporters; and the public feeling in favour of his policy was strengthened by the accounts which came pouring in of the frightful atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese- the poisoning of the wells, the poisoning of the bread by the bakers, the cold-blooded murder of many Europeans, the horrible and disgusting details of the execution of between 60,000 and 70,000 Chinese in the course of a few months.' The new Parliament, in which the Ministry had a large majority, met on the 30th of April, and Mr. Evelyn Denison was chosen without opposition to be the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Government lost no time in bringing forward various measures to promote sanitary and the news of the mutiny of our native troops in India burst upon the Ministry and the country, and absorbed their whole attention. It came like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky upon all connected with India, both at home and abroad. There is reason to believe, however, that though the fact was unsuspected by their European officers, dissatisfaction had for some time existed among the Bengal Sepoys, who were to a great extent men of the highest caste. The Government bad, at the beginning of the year 1857, supplied the Sepoy regiments | has been the fashion to overpay, overcaress, in Bengal with the Enfield rifle, instead of and overlaud the Sepoys, and the Sepoy the old musket which had hitherto been had come fully to believe that we could in use. The new rifle was accompanied not do without him.' It is a well-known with greased cartridges, which were neces- fact that they frequently obtained exemption sary for its effective use. On the 23rd of from disagreeable military duties, under the January Major-general Hearsay informed pretence that these would violate certain the Indian Government that at Dumdum, regulations of their caste, which they themnear Calcutta, an uneasy feeling existed selves violated without scruple whenever it among the Sepoys, arising from the belief suited their own purposes to do so. Such that the grease used in the preparation of was the absurd deference shown to the the cartridges was composed of a mixture privileges with which the Indian authoriof the fat of cows and of pigs, to touch ties chose to invest them, that a commandwhich with their mouths involved the loss ing officer hardly dared to reprove a Sepoy of their caste. The existence of this belief without a reference to headquarters. There among other regiments was soon afterwards were not wanting premonitory symptoms ascertained, and led to the conclusion that of an outbreak, but they were disregarded or it had been fomented by Brahmins and reckoned unimportant. In 1849 the 22nd other intriguers not connected with the Bengal Native Infantry, then serving under regiments, who skilfully worked on the Sir Colin Campbell, mutinied on a question minds of the Sepoys by suggesting that of pay in which they were entirely in the the Government had formed a deliberate wrong, and other forty-two regiments were purpose to make them lose their caste and found to be in secret communication with become Christians. them. Five of the mutineers were conThe 'greased cartridges' were simply the demned to death, but their sentence was spark that fired the train, but the com- commuted into transportation for life. The bustible materials had been heaped together 66th Regiment broke out in open mutiny long before, and sooner or later an explosion at Govindghur in the Punjaub, and were was inevitable. In 1851, six years before disbanded by Sir Charles Napier. Well the revolt broke out, Colonel Hodgson, at might Sir Colin Campbell say at this time, Meerut the very cradle of the mutiny-We are sitting on a mine that may explode warned the authorities that the admission at any moment.' In 1852 the 38th were of the Brahmins into the ranks of our required to proceed to Burmah. They obIndian army was engendering and foment-jected to the sea-voyage and refused to ing discord and sedition among the native march. The authorities acquiesced, and troops. The Sepoys as a body, especially thus another important concession was made the priestly caste, had been petted and to the demands of the Sepoys, which they spoiled by the Government; concession naturally attributed to our fears and not to after concession had been made with no a sense of justice. other effect than to make them more insolent and insubordinate. Lord Dalhousie cartridges commenced the men were aswrote to Sir Charles Napier in 1850:'The Sepoy has been overpetted and overpaid of late, and has been led on by the Government itself into the entertainment of expectations and the manifestation of a feeling which he had never held in former times.' Colonel Hodgson, in 1851, used almost the same words :-' Of late years it VOL. III. When the agitation against the greased sured that the composition used was nothing but mutton fat and wax, but this did not satisfy them; and an order was given that the cartridges, at least for practice, should be issued without grease. A special court of inquiry was at the same time held with regard to the alleged nature of the grease. Several Sepoys were them 38 |