shake. Whatever treaty, whether commercial or political, is entered
into by them, it is as sure as that the sun will rise and the moon will
shine, that its terms will be strictly fulfilled. Whatever may be the
loss of such a treaty or bargain, its stipulations are adhered to to
the very letter. These are principles that have established the
Company's possessions in India on the firmest basis; and, aided by Old
England, she may now defy the combined power of all Europe. Her native
troops are good soldiers, and loyal and faithful subjects; but they
certainly require a little humouring. There are certain indulgences
which must be granted to them: the free exercise of their religious
rites; certain comforts, such as additional clothing, &c., during the
several seasons of the year; and by no means to attempt to induce them
to wear anything that is objected to by their several castes. However
absurd their habits may appear to a person unacquainted with Indian
affairs, they must be, to some extent, sanctioned. I am speaking, of
course, of things reasonable. I do not mean to say that, if a Hindoo
priest fancied himself a greater man than the bishop of Calcutta, his
lordship should resign his office in his favour; but simply that they
should be indulged in every way not inconsistent with prudence and
justice. I am persuaded that two or three millions of native troops
could, in the course of one year, be organized and fit for the field;
and I do not hesitate to affirm that, when headed by brave European
officers, and encouraged by the example of British gallantry, they would
be found equal to any troops in the world. I speak this from my own
experience in India, and from being constantly engaged on active service
with these troops. The Company have ever been justly conscious of the
importance of attending to the different sects of men admitted as
soldiers, selecting those of the higher class of Hindoos for their
infantry, and of the Mahometan castes for their cavalry. Whenever men of
inferior caste have crept in, little rebellions have been traced to that
source. I do not mean to say, that men of an inferior caste are not
equally brave soldiers; but I do maintain, the higher the caste or sect
of the native, the more he may be trusted, and the more likely he will
be to prove himself a faithful subject, as well as a good soldier.

Our division was now directed to proceed against another fort of the
Nagpore rajah's, called Gurrah Mun