disquietude, and tinged every disappointment or misfortune that
befel the colonists. The post-office arrangements; the local finance;
the provision required by the imperial government for the support of the
various colonial administrations; the relation of the planters to the
negro free labourers, were all topics of angry debate in the colonial
press and legislatures. A very general desire to unite with the North
American States was felt, or at all events, expressed; the desire being,
as in Canada, to escape free trade, and the additional motive that,
by such a change, negro slavery might possibly be restored. A fear and
hatred of freedom was the grand source of colonial sedition throughout
the continent and islands of British America.

INDIA.

The vast territory comprised in British India was seldom wholly at
peace, the agitations of contiguous countries extending to it, and
requiring the constant vigilance of the government, lest mischief
beginning beyond the borders should spread within them.

In the early part of the year there were signs of disaffection
throughout the north-west districts, and the native garrison of Delhi
manifested some insubordination on account of batta which they demanded
if ordered beyond the Sutlej, and which the government had determined
to refuse. Sir Charles Napier persevered in his attempts to reform the
army, and put down drunkenness and gaming among the officers, and some
severe examples were made even in the case of officers of professional
merit. In these efforts the commander-in-chief was not seconded by the
governor-general and the authorities at Calcutta.

In the Nizam's territory disturbances occurred which compelled the
attention of the Indian government. At Sikhim, in the latter part of
the previous year, two British officers were seized by the independent
sovereign of that country, formerly a dependency of Nepaul. The offence
of these officers was entering the territory without permission; and the
severity, and even cruelty and indignity with which they were treated,
called for the interposition of the authorities at Calcutta; but it
was necessary to move troops against the tyrant before he gave the
satisfaction required.

The border tribes in the neighbourhood of Peshawur gave great uneasiness
notwithstanding that severe chastisement was inflicted upon them at the
close of the previous year by Colonel Lawrence. Sir Colin Campbell
was sent against them, at the head