728861-1846-12-Sep-1846 — Page 4

on

detail

Entes;

Tree

maiana,

this

TUR FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

have destroyed tribes not banded together by fun- presented with skill, retaming, wherever it was

alicism; and when events gave the Sikhs the us did practicable, the language of the original. The ad-

ditional mettere line not so much freshness as thatcendancy, the disciples of the mild and tolerant Nanik became the most intolerant and swaggering drawn from the reports, but the compiler seems to have had a koledge of his subject before un- of religious oppressors. - Ibid. dertaking to wrze opon it, and to have drawn his information from very respectable sources in fact, from the Anglo-Indian classical titers.

ed to reestablish Popery, the

the Pro Was not then, as now, the law of James succeed! The truth is, A

galost opinion have been passed ther has shown that they are unnecessary, altra ra tional mind were so deeply imbued with the opi- niota denounced any penul la that are require ed to be frightened out of them, there would be little chance of persuading a Parliamentary majo, rity to pass that law or it would soon be repeated, No low can be permanent which does not embody e national opinion: the law is the mere expression of a preexistent will. The national will having |

and other put down Popery and arbitrary power, a dainty and delicate devices. the enactment of penal statues against them is slaying the slain.

but when the of they had They could not ies themselves, The Secretary in If we could but see ourselves as others see us!" Mould be gullect to Henry of Exeter will be ready enough to maintain Cal in his office; and if that the Church of England alone upholds the

they appealed to Par

State but this giant strength, it seems, cannot up- here were but a very few per- hold itself unless Roman Catholics are dobarred by the Rightest interest in the metler. penal statutes-not from balieving in the supremacy want of pulon and determination that of the Pope, but from proclaiming, or, in the pe slate of things; and it never would be culiar Ediscopal phraseology, from "estolling" it!

all those who had an interest in the

In auch the same way, Lord George Bentinck and should determine to onite his followers proclaim that the strength of the object to relieve the col State resides in the landed aristocracy, as Batop the despnuo gorernment to which they son's did th his hair: but they add, that this strong He cared not what mode they odoparistocracy must break down beneath its own purpose, or whit species of organization weight, unless propped up by a corn law. In such they adopted but he would any, that the colonies incoherent professions there is all the self-contra and their friends in the country should be organized diction of the idolater, who sets up a graven image, for this one common object to put an end to the

and believes or professes to believe it all-powerful, common misgovernment which affected every por

at the very moment that he is looking shout for a tion of the colonies of the empire, and which every bail to bail it to the wall or pedestal, because it year was the subject of loud and general com. lacks power to stand alone. -Speciator, May 23. plaint and what was more, if such as organization wern established if the voice of the colonies were heard, and the influence of the colonies brought to bear on this great and legitimate object-its success would be certain; and he would say that never in a better cause did man appeal to the sympathies of all just and wise thinking men.

Mr Clarke, a proprietor, put four queries to the Chairman, the principal one having reference to the position in which a dissentient to the proposi- tions before the meeting would be placed.

Fle bad

HISTORY OF THE PUJAUB AND THE BIKES.

The late events in India have, no doubt, been the cause of the publication; but the subject has an interest of its own, and was worthy of record apart from any extrinsic circumstance. The eri- gin, principles, and growth of the Sikh sect-the circumstances which favoured their development and the various fortunes which attended the disciples, now hunted for their lives by Mahometan persecutors, now making head, through the star' - chy which distracted india during the greater part of the last century, till they conquered the Punjab --are subjects with a curious attraction to the Not less so is the policy of historical student. Runjeet Singh, and the means by which he and his father raised themselves from chiefs of the lowest of twelve tribes or independent feudatories to the One principal absolute control of the country. feature in Ranjeet's rule was to oppress the widow and the fatherless, by scizing the district upon a chieftain's death, and either confiscating it at once, or making such arrangements, after the receipt of a bribe, as depr.ved the possessor of all power, and exposed the territory to be forfeited at a convenient opportunity. It is possible that the story of each subjent might be told with more effect, as it is certain that the philosophy roight be developed with more of critical acumen; but the narrative renders it sufficiently obvious for the reader to draw his own conclusions.

The name "Sikh signifies disciple; and the history of the sect contains the moral of presecu tion. Namuk himself was of a mild and peaceful

In 1894, Mr Heary T. Prinsep, then Secretary of the Indian Government, published at Calcutin s volume or the political life of Ranjeet Singh,geous: his object was to reform the Mahometan and the origin of the Sikh power in the Pajaub. and Hindoo religions by throwing off their supers with some account of the character, luers, and ition, and to combine the followers of each on the common ground of a pure Theism. He taught customs of the Siths; which work originated in

that devolion was due but to one God, and that"| this wiss. From the time of our nomexion with the Bikbs in 1808, as protector of the territory forms are immaterial": when asked to exhibit some lying between the Sutlej and the Jemna, the Go-iraculous proof of supernatural powers, be replied, "A holy teacher bas no defence but the parity of vernment was constantly appealed to in disputes between the chiefs, and their neighbours or depen. his doctrine"; and at a time (the earlier part of the dents. These disputes often involved questions of sixteenth century) when Christian Europe was great intricacy in reference to Sikh cusions, and about to bring the terrible persecution of Lutherana

and Ttomanist, Nanuk enforced the principles of gave the Governmant a good deal of trouble. Al

the largest toleration, and that religious obstacles lust, in 1830, Lord William Bentinck called upon two of the "Politicals," who were employed in the were only to be overcome by the force of reason affairs of the Punjab, for reports upon the whole and humanity." His practical views inclined to of the Sikb stary; and Captain William Macray quietiste, if not to the contemplative abstraction of and Captain (pop Sir C) Wade sent in two wolu the Hindoos; such was the effect of his charactar minous papers, tint of Captain Murray being part- that he was respected by all religions; and though icularly elaborate.

he was so successful in his teaching as to hare drawn before his death one hundred thou-and dis- ciples to his following, he did act, says Sir John Malcolm, rouse the bigotry of the intolerant and tyrannical Mahometan government under which he lived, He was born in 1460, and died, it would appear, some time after 1500; bequeathing his spiritual authority to a disciple, named Lehana, passing over the own sons, whom be considered unworthy to suoceed him, as was indeed the cas

Dr. Bring said, that unless they were endowed with the spirit of prophecy they could not answer tbere questions. The Report itself was the best eridence of the great attention the Directors had pard to the concerns of the Company. Jong been impressed that more power should be delegated to the Directors, if the colony was to be saved. He despaired of Parliamentary interferen- ce, as that which was remote and detant obtained little attention from the Imperial Legislature. The wrongs of thousanda and tens of thousands were unattended to from that cause. He cordially con- curred in the propriety of throwing the whole

"It was," says Alr Prinsep, "the result of much weight of responsibility upon the Board; and re-reading and, researsh, and was prepared from juiced at its resolution, that unless something was

materials collected during the whole pen of his done, and that promptly, the whole responsibility residence amongs the Sikhs. Ble had evidently would be thrown upon the Government.

consulted with corn all the Persian and other banks ved the adoption of the Report.

that afford any insight into the history of the The Chairman (Mr Aglionby, in the absence of Sikhs, or of the Mogul and Afghan officers who Lord Ingestre, who had retired) replied briefly to came into contact of collision with them while the inquiries of Mr Clarke.

his account of the rise and fortunes of Ranject Singh was compiled from the reports and verba information of intelligent persons who had seed under him, corrected had tested by a laborionji sas amination of the Akhbars, or native newspapers, Gles of which were recorded in his office: & relua. ble appendix whe added, containing the result achis personal observations and inquiries into the bobica customs, rules, and observances of the Sikha."

He mo

M Watson and other proprietors expressed great confidence in the Directors, and on earneal hope that the Report should be unanimously adopted.

General Briggs deprecated the carrying on a war with the Natives. He thought that we should never be able to conquer the island without exter- anneting the nativer. Ho deserted the benefit which India received from local and municipal | institutions, and strongly urged that the settlers showid enjoy the benent of similar institutions.

The Repon was then adopted unanimously. So me routine business was gone through; after which due acknowledgment was paid to the Chairman, and the Court was dissolved-Supplement to the Spectator, June 6.

It was the intention of the Governor-General to request Captain Murray to recast his report and from a voluine from its materials, so as to put the public in possession of its information: but that valuable officer died before the design œpuld be car- ried into effect. Bir Prinsep therefore undertook the task; making Captain Murray's report the basis of his volume, but adding information contain. ed in the report of Captain Wade or derived from other sources; among which was a manuscript Persian history, placed at the disposal of Mr Prinsep by Sir Charles Metcalfe,

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT IN THE WRONG PLACE. There was a time when a surgeon was thought 10 do less than half his duty if he only fomented a sprain be was expected to mutter a prayer or spell over the wounded limb at the same time. "There

The volume thee compiled contained a sketch- was more of reason in the obstinacy with which

of the manners, rules, and customs of the modern people clung to this prejudice than we are now

Sikhe; with a history of their fortunes from 1707 willing to admit it was palpable enough that the

(about which time the last priest or prophet of the sprain was cured, but whether this was affected

sect was defeated, and it is supposed done to death) by the spell or the fomentation it was not so easy until Lord William Bentinck's interview with Run- to say Experiment alone could decide; but nobody ject Singh in 1831. This work, which bay long wished to be the corpus vile on which the experi- been out of print, and never was extensively cir. ment of dispensing with one or other elainest ofculated io Fogland, forms a considerable portion the composite process was to be tried: the safer course was so try both. It is well for us, who are accustomed to see the fomentation work by itself, to laugh at those who paid har leomely for the su perfluous benediction; but without this experience we would do ns they did—try batx,

of the volumes before us, Mr Prinsep's consent having been obtained for its use the other part has been supplied by the anonymous editor, in order to present a complete account of the Sikhs, from their origin to the present day. It commences with a view of the physical features of the Punjab and It is this consideration that makes one tolerant of of its population or tribes. This is followed by a the Bishop of Exeter's opposition to the Religious sketch of its history from the time of Alexander's Opinion Relief Bil. Popery certainly has, to a invasion till the latter end of the fifteenth centery; great extent, relirquished its hold on the nailona]

when Napuk, a Hindoo philosopher, promulgated faith, When we look about fur the oporative a reform of established religions, based on the ucity causes of the change, we observe that sermons have of the Deity, which subsequemly grew into the been prenched and books published, but also that

Sikh creed. The history and tepels of this remar In we have been made against It may be true,'' kahle man, with the fortunes of his followers and Lova a logician like Henry of Exeler, "that regson-

successors, bring down the narrative to the death trent have expelled the sickness of

of Govind Gara and introduce the production of tingal mind but I see

Mr Prinsep, which follows continuously to a nat Fagainst it how ural close. A this out the unor again later up his task; completing the history of Runeet, exhi hether a combine biting the anarchy which followed his death and campaign in the banze of the Sutis. The editor has also torde some addiupos, treater fulness seemed desirable, und added

when

Borne notes

Although it is not very likely that the ignoďILMAť and rather ferocious Khafas or Kaleas would carry ent to their fullest extent the wild and tolerate doctrines of their founder, yet they seem for the greater part of a century to have observed his lead. ing doctrines-to live in peace and charity with all men, and only to take arms in self-defence. Itz 1000, Arjunmal, the fourth chief or priest in shebes- sion from Nauk, and the compiler of the Ali Grouth, or first sacred volume of the Sikhs, wag imprisoned, and cruelly put to death by the Mako- inetan Governor of the province. The only effect of this was to cause an insurrection of the Sikhs, headed by Har Guyind, the son of Arjunmel

The martyrdom of their pontiff converted the Sikhs, hitherto an inoffensive sect of quietists, into n band of fanatical warriors; they look arms under Har Govind, the son of Arjuninal, and wrecked Their vangeance upon all whom they believed to have been concerned in the atrocious deed.

**At this moment, Prince Khoaru, the Em- peror's eldest son, had raised the standard of revolt against his father in that part of the Punjab where the Sikhs were located, chiefly in the neigh- bourbood of Labore. The contest carried on by Har Govind against the Mahamedans seems to have led to no event of sufficient importance to be noticed by contemporary writers; but it appears to have been his desire to imbue his party with an irreconcilable hatred and a desperate spirit of hos- tility towards the Mahomedans. It is stated that he wore two swords in his girdle, and when asked the reason, replied, One is to revenge the death of my father, the other to destroy the miracles of Mahomed "

1 From this time (11) beyond the middle of the last conury, when the weakness of the Great Mogul, the rise of the Mahratas, and the Persian invasions, had reduced the whole of India to a state of anarchy, and enabled the Sikh chiefs to set up a sort of feu dal oligarchy, the Sikh story is n succession of tyrannical persecutions and fierce retaliations, tul- lowed by intervals of rest or exhaustion. Tint the martyrdom offerjunmal converted "eninoffen arve sect of quietis túto a band of lanation) war- riors, is perhaps putting it too broadly-the war and the fanatic sm were both in them but their history is a singular proof of the agelesness of persecution and its terrible reaction. Bo for a we can perceive, the Sikha do not hold one single tamet of the original founder berond some general idea of God, and that is overind, if not lingether by mero ceremonies, to which be would have attached no value whatever. When of the the in

vete strong enough, the dis

hunted from The land, and gins, Micae Who throw side with

COMMARDIAL INTELLIGENCE.

----

(From the Straits Times, August 26.)

SINGAPORE NAHKET REPORT.

The reported transactions in Europene mam..fao. tures, during the week, show a great absence of business for the time ofthe year, altho' impurte gu erally have, since our inat, been moderate, the sales have however, been limited to immediate reque ments, holders we understand have in many to. stances shewn a disposition to submit to a redden of former rates, but the lowness of prices does appear to induce active purchasers, dealers appest evidently to pause, till farther arrival of the Bugis.

Arrarek --Market overstocked and in no demand. Alun-Negleetod, stocks the game. Betelnut--- About 600 piculs have changed hunds at 92 per picul in barter, which was the only lot offerings

Benjamin,-Goail still wanted of which the mar

ket is fure.

Bets' Waz-Imports from native states and in the absence of active demands rates are declining

Cloves-Imports from Calcutta and sales by auction of slightly damaged at $131 to $18 per picul. Copper Sheathing.Imports from London bysho Iron Queen, but nothing reported during the weck. Canuas. Further supplies during the week and little despand exists at present owing to storekeepers being fully supplied.

Coffee-Upwards of a 1,000 piculs Bully of a fair quality have since our last come into marketfor which 85 per picul is demanded by imponers.

Grey Shirtings. The only transactions during the week have consisted of a few bales of a middling quality at $265 per piece and 150 pieces ut 82-75

per piece.

Gram. Further imports during the week from Penang and the article in less enquiry.

Gunny Bags a good demand and very fav procurable at present.”

Long Cloths - Salce reported during the week consist of 400 pieces of a middling quality at 82-60 per piece, stocks ure extremely heavy and lo chance of lmprovement in prices daring the en ning

season

Mother Of Pearl Shells. None to market as yet. Opium - In Benarus a few cheals have been seld to native Tenders a: 652310 6380 per chests, Patun is offering 8535 per chest without finding pur- chasers, some demand extets for Turkey box litte in the place, mithing duing in Maliwa.

Pepper Purches are being made of clean Black at 93-65 to 83.70 per pirukat which rutes the article is procurable, withing done in white.

Rice

eSupplies of all descriptions are heney mad the only sales reported is in Batty-rhile at $50 per coyan and for Middling quality at 8443 per rojan. Ruttens. —Large supplies coming in, and in ahe absence of any Export demand, prices are looking down.

Sopan Wool - Arrivals but no sales reported. Sultpetre - Commands but little attention just

now

Segona, Manila - A sale of 150 Mil is reported for Na 3m8101 and No. 4 at 884 qer 1000, stucks deminishing,

Sük. Haw--Java traders, have taken a few chess of No. 3 Canton, at current rates from second hands. Tin-Small arrivals during the week, which have been taken nt $17) per picul and the article in good demand,

Tortoiseshell Small supplies are now coming in, but nothing has as yet transpired as to rates,

Twist Cation -In mule nothing as yet been done, stocks are light and in few hands and we hear that 837 per plicul is demanded for no 40s of Colored, stocks are heavy and nothing doing.

TONNAGE. No alteration to notice in the rases, Gambier is plentiful but light freight is very smarco. EXCHANGES We have not heard of any thing doing in six months hills but a fair amount of busi ness has been done in those ut 30 days 48 31 pur dollar.

On the presidencies nothing has transpired.

MONEY MARKET.

London, 6 months" sight 4s 4d per dollar. 30 days' sight is 4d per dollar.

Calcutta, 60 days' sight company's Bills 219, Bombay, 30 day sight 220 per 1008. Sycee Silver por cont premium for large. Company's Rupees 444 cents. Java Rupes (new) 270 per 1008. Do. (old) 200 per 1008.

( From the Bombay Times, Auguel 1.) STATE OF THE MARRET... Saturday, let Angust 1840 Cotton Goodr— There have been a few sales of both Grey and Bleached Shirtings at or near the prices offered previous to the closing of the Season, but there is no actual demand yet for any descrip- fion of Goods save coarse and low Domestic Maria- pollams, for which the enquiry has continued.

Turn-No demand excepting for No. 20 water. There has been a small sale of both water and mole, at the following pices: No. 20 water, 47, and No 30 water, a 8 88. No. 20 mule, a 6 as; 30; # 71 ; and 40, a 83 as per 5.

The Metal Market-continues as reported in our last, and only a few sales have been effected as 1101- ed below -

800 on Swedish Steel in tubs, a 10 Rs. $300 do do. in dases, a l in000 bundles Hoop Iron FREIGHT—corlines as reported in our last, a vessel having been put on for Landun at £2 105; and we quote the same nominally for Liverpool. To Chise a report bee been taken up at Rs 64--- Rs 7 being paid for small lots:

EXCHANGE Contones with downward tendency, and large transactions have taken place during the weak from 25 011 to 2, and now the holdere of hine Tepor are asking I lid for 8 months' sight Calcutta, Rs 101 for 30 dage eight, and on Ma-

Edited Printed and Published by Jour Care, At The Friend of China and Hong kong

fe, Printing Ofice, GOUGH STREET, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 1846,