THE FOREMOST MAM IN INDIA.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 137, 11 February 1859, Page 4

THE FOREMOST MAM IN INDIA.

(From the Times)

Who lias been the foremost man in India during the recent troubles ? Where so many have done well and have poured out their blood in their country's cause it would seem at first sight difficult to answer the question. Neill and Havelock first turned the tide of battle in our favor, Sir Archdale Wilson took Delhi, Sir Henry Lawrence made the preparations which proved the safety of Lucknow, Brigadier Inglis successfully defended the town in the face of ap^. palling difficulties; wherever Sir James Outrara appeared victory followed on his footsteps; Sir Colin Campbell has conducted the greater operations with singular felicity; Sir Hugh Rose crowned a career of uninterrupted victory by the capture of Gwalior. We of course confine ourselves to the names of the most marking men, although there are many others who in less prominent positions displayed heroism enough to save an empire, had they been so placed that their action could have materially affected the course of events. But even among these illustrious men the name of John Lawrence, the ruler of the Punjab, stands supreme. We know of no standard by which we can discriminate between the respective merits of these Indian Paladins, save by the result of their exertions. Let this, then, be the test. Had the mutineers in the earlier stage of the troubles been able to maintain themselves in Delhi, and had the Punjab risen in our rear, British India would have been lost. No doubt it might and it would have been regained by hard fighting and by incredible exertion, for England has not yet. arrived at that point when the decadence, of nations begins; but we should have had a very serious business on hand. We say, then, that he who saved the Punjab and the north-western provinces, Was the man who preserved India to the British Crown. That man was Sir John Lawrence!

. That we may understand the full measure of his. deserts we must refer back to the early da3 rs of the mutiny. A few scattered Englishmen were holding out here and there; here and there were a few wretched English women; and English children ripe fou the butcher's knife, but not yet butchered. Then it was that Sir . John Lawrence found himself alone in the Punjab, hemmed in on all sides by .fire, and from his own Sikhs the,worst was to be apprehended. It w : as, no.t solong since they, had stood in battle array against us,' and had stoutly contested the possession of India with, the best troops that Great.Britain could send forth. The question now was to array them on our side—-to put arms into their hands, and to lead them forth against the Indian regiments which under our banners and under the guidance of our soldiery had inflicted upon them more than one defeat.. The Native regiments in the Punjab, broke out in mutiny—Sir John Lawrence dealt with them with inexorable but necessary rigour. His next, care was to provide for the siege of-Delhi. .He took the statesman's, -.vie w; of the matter—r-Delhi must be taken. That this event might be brought about he denuded the Punjab of British.troops, and remained alone with .his Sikhs. The besieging army wanted. guns.; He sent them guns. They wanted ammunition. He sent them .ammunition. , They . wanted gunners. He called, the old.cannoniers.-of the'; Khalsa from their: .villages/ arrayed them under the British flag,: and'passed them on to Delhi. The very men who had pointed, their guns by the banks of the Sutlej at the British troops now pointed

them against the mutinous, town, of Delhi. The besiegers of..Delhi wanted money; Sir John Lawrence sent them money, although it was hot an easy matter to raise subsidies in the. Punjab when the natives saw before them a chance of throwing off the British yoke. Sir John. Lawrence did all this, and, when Delhi'had fallen, thanksto his wonderful energy and activity, one Sikh regiment after another was ; raised and marched down the> country for active

service.

The Punjab, meanwhile, hasbeen maintained in substantial tranquility. Surely, any reward a grateful country could bestow would be but a proper compensation for achievements such as these.. The reward actually given is the honorary distinction of Gr.G.B., which Sir John Lawrence shares with Jung Bahadoor. Furthermore he has received the thanks of Parlimentin company with Mr. Haliday and a dozen others. Finally, there has been an addition to his allowances, by which.he hasbeen placed in the situation of the late Mr. Colvin. Lord Stanley said, the other night, in answer to a question from Mr. ICinnaird, that the Queen's advisers were considering-whether any further reward should be bestowed upon him. The dignity, of the Peers of England would be honoured by the addition to their roll of the name of John Lawrence.