The Maratta troops were about 10,000 horse, and as many foot strongly posted, and with their centre protected by a large train of artillery. The British troops, all infantry, were not quite 3000 men. We have more than once had occasion to notice the culpable temerity of British officers in attacking forts with insufficient numbers, and in ignorance of their real condition; but in the open field temerity had never failed to triumph. Acting on this principle, Mr. Elphinstone and Col. Burr, who commanded the troops, resolved to be the assailants, and to advance without a moment's delay. We need hardly add that their boldness was crowned with complete success, and that, with trifling loss on their own side, they put the enemy to flight. A few days after, Gen. Smith arrived with his troops; and the Marattas who had resumed their former position retired in the night, when they found the British preparing to attack them. The Peishwa now fled to Poorundur.

During the month of November, the first, third, and fifth divisions of the army of the Deckan crossed the Nerbudda, and occupied thewhole of the Pindarrie territory. The Pindarries fled to the north, and west, and the head-quarters of the army of the Deckan were now advanced a little to the north of Újein Sindia's former capital.

Meantime Sindia, menaced on one side by the Governor-general, and on the other by Gen. Donkin, and all his secret dealings with the Peishwa, the Pindarrie chiefs, and the Nepâlese being discovered, was obliged to sign (Nov. 6) a new treaty, binding himself among other matters, to aid to the utmost of his power in the destruction of the Pindarries.

The very week in which the treaty was signed, the camp of Lord Hastings was assailed by an enemy far more formidable than the troops of Sindia, or the Pindarries. The disease, known by the name of the spasmodic, or Indian cholera, had at all times committed its ravages in India at particular seasons, and in particular situations; but about the middle of this year, it assumed the appearance of an epidemic, and commencing in the east of Bengal, it gradually advanced westwards, and by the middle of November it overspread the whole camp of the centre division. Campfollowers, native soldiers, and Europeans, all were swept away by it; the deaths in the week of its greatest intensity were 764 soldiers and 8000 camp followers. Fortunately it is the nature of this complaint not to remain long in one place; and either from this or from the circumstance of the troops being moved to higher and drier ground, it disappeared early in December.

During the remainder of the year the Pindarries were hunted by the troops of the right division of the Bengal, and the fifth of the Deckan army, and their leaders now roamed about at the head of a few dispirited followers. Ameer Khân was also forced to disband his troops and to ratify the alliance which had been arranged.

If there was any Maratta prince who had a right to remain attached to the British, it was Apa Sahib, of Nagpûr, for it was to their support he was indebted for his rank and power. He could not, however, refrain from intrigue, and he was soon engaged in secret negotiations with the Peishwa, Sindia, and even the Pindarries. His presumption and infatuation were such, that even

after the attack on the residency at Poona was known, he accepted from the Peishwa the title of Senapati, or Commander-in-chief; and on the day in which he was publicly invested with it (Nov. 24), he displayed the Zeri Patka, or golden banner of the Maratta empire. He had also the audacity to invite Mr. Jenkins, the resident, to be present at this ceremony, asserting that he saw no reason why it should give any offence. The resident, however, viewed the matter in a different light; and as Apa Sahib's intentions were evidently hostile, preparations were made for the defence of the residency.

The residency lay to the west of Nagpûr, beyond a low range called the Sitabaldi hills. As the subsidiary force had moved against the Pindarries, the resident had only his escort of 400 men ; as there happened, however, to be a small detachment under Col. Scott, only three miles off, it came to the defence of the residency: but still the whole force amounted to only 1300 men; while the rajah's troops, which lay on the other side of the city, consisted of 12,000 horse and 8000 foot, 3000 of which last were Arabs. As the Sitabaldi range was terminated by two elevations, Col. Scott placed troops on each of them, and the rest of the troops were disposed about the residency.

In the early part of the day of the 26th, the rajah's cavalry was seen disposing itself in masses to the west of the residency, while infantry with guns were taking positions between it and the city. Still the rajah talked of peace; and two of his ministers were actually, toward sunset, in conference with the resident, when the Arabs assailed the troops posted on the Sitabaldi hills. The firing was continued through the night; in the morning (27th) the Maratta army appeared, in dark dense masses of horse and foot, to the south and west of the British position; and the Arabs, after disabling one of the only two guns the British had on the northern eminence, rushed up the hill, and drove them from that post, to which they then brought up guns, and commenced a cannonade on the right of the line below in the plain. They also advanced up to the other eminence; the main Maratta army kept closing round, and their guns had already begun to take effect on the small body of horse posted at the residency, when Capt. Fitzgerald, who commanded it, though his orders were to stand firm, made a dash at the foremost masses of the enemy, charged through them several times, dispersed them, seized their guns, and turned them against them, and then returned to his position. The sight of this gallant exploit gave fresh courage to the Sepoys on the hill; they drove the Arabs back, and finally forced them down the hill again with the loss of two of their guns. A fourth of the numbers of the victors, including seventeen officers, were killed or wounded; but Indian history does not include a more gallant action*.

When his troops had thus been routed, Apa Sahib sent to express his regret for what had

4 A part of this force was the 24th Madras infantry. As the first battalion of this regiment had been concerned in the Vellore massacre, its name had been struck out of the list. A petition was presented from the native officers and men, praying, in lieu of any other recompense, for the regi ment's being restored to its former number, and being allowed to resume its former facings. The prayer of these gallant and loyal men was granted, of course.

occurred, and to say that they had acted without his knowledge or consent. He was required to remove his troops to their original position, as the condition of the suspension of hostilities, and he did as required. Reinforcements now came daily to the British; and finally (Dec. 13), Gen. Doveton, with the whole of the second brigade of the army of the Deckan, encamped at Sitabaldi. Preparations were now made for attacking the rajah's army. If he wished to avert the attack, he was told that he must disband his troops, surrender his ordnance, put the British in temporary possession of Nagpûr, and come to reside for a time at the residency. He assented to these terms late in the day of the 15th, and that night the troops lay on their arms in the field in order of battle. In the morning he sent to say that the Arabs would not suffer him to leave the camp. The troops then prepared to attack; but before they advanced, word was sent to Apa Sahib to say that he still might come in, and soon after he rode into the lines. At noon, after making as much delay as he could, he sent one of his ministers to deliver up the ordnance. An advance-battery was taken possession of without opposition; but when the troops advanced to the main body they were received by a fire of musketry and cannon. They rushed on, and soon carried a battery on the left; and the cavalry which had been in the action then carried another battery, and pursued the Maratta horse for a distance of three miles. Meantime the infantry had routed the right and centre of the Marattas, and captured their artillery.

The Arabs now joined by some Hindustânees, the whole amounting to about 5000 men, threw themselves into the palace and occupied the approaches to it. Batteries were erected against it with such guns as were at hand; and an attack was made on the principal gateway, which however failed. It was then resolved to wait for heavy artillery; but the Arabs now offered to capitulate on being allowed to depart with their families and property, and receiving 50,000 rupees in addition to their arrears of pay. These terms were granted, and they departed. Apa Sahib was restored to his throne, though it had been Lord Hastings' firm determination to depose him; but as Mr. Jenkins had guaranteed him his rank, his Lordship would not interpose. It is needless to give the terms of the treaty now concluded with him, as he afterwards violated them, and brought on his deposition.

CHAPTER X.

Battle of Mahidpûr-Final Reduction of the PindarriesPursuit of the Peishwa-Affair at Korijaon-Deposition of Peishwa-Battle of Ashti-Deposition of Apa Sahib

Surrender of Peishwa-Concluding Adventures of Apa Sahib, and Cheetoo, the Pindarri-Settlement of IndiaHouse of Palmer and Co.-King of Oude-Departure of Lord Hastings-Bishop Middleton.

SIR T. HISLOP was meantime engaged with the troops of Holkar. Tulasi Bai, and her favourite Ganpat Râo, anxious to escape from the violence of their soldiery, had solicited an asylum within

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the British lines. The asylum was offered; but the military commanders, Roshan Beg and Ram Din, knowing that the consequence of this arrangement would be the disbanding of the troops, and the annihilation of their own power, seized (Dec. 19) Ganpat Râo and Tulasi Bai in the night, and at dawn next day decapitated the latter. They then with Ghafur Khân and other leaders bound themselves by oath to be faithful to each other, and by acting in the name of the young rajah, prepared to engage the British army which was at

hand.

Before daybreak on the 21st Sir T. Hislop put his troops in motion, and marching along the river Sipra, found the enemy drawn up on the other side of that river opposite the town of Mahidpûr. The banks of the river were high, and there was only one ford; the troops, however, crossed without much loss; but as they emerged from a ravine leading up to the plain, they were exposed to a heavy cannonade. They however formed, and then attacking the enemy on the right and on the left, drove them off the field. The centre was then attacked with equal success; and the pursuit was continued till dark. The loss of the British was nearly 800 killed and wounded, that of the enemy was said to be 3000 or more.

The battle of Mahidpûr in effect broke the power of the Holkar family; but as the troops still retained a hostile attitude, Sir J. Malcolm moved with a division to disperse them. The Maratta ministers, however, made overtures of peace to him; and on the 6th January, 1818, a treaty was concluded, which virtually, though not formally, was one of subsidiary alliance.

The Pindarri chiefs, Karim Khân and Wasil Mohammed, had been present with their Durras at the battle of Mahidpûr. As all the Maratta powers had now been reduced, the pursuit of them, and Cheetoo, and the other leaders, was resumed with vigour. It would be wearisome to relate the details of the several hunts that were kept up after them; suffice it to say, that with the exception of Cheetoo, who sought refuge in Berâr, all the leaders had surrendered before the end of February, and the Pindarri system and power was brought to its close. They were removed to Gorakhpûr, where they obtained grants of lands for their subsistence. Karim Khân became there a peaceable, industrious farmer; but Wasil Mohammed, impatient of restraint, attempted to make his escape, and took poison, and died, when he found that he could not effect his purpose.

There now remained only the Peishwa to be reduced. Being followed to Poorundur by Gen. Smith, he moved thence to Sattara, the abode of the descendant and representative of Sevajee, and carrying that prince and his family with him, he went on southwards; but fearing to fall in with the reserve, under Gen. Pritzler, he turned back, and being joined by Trimbak with some troops from Candeish, he pushed on, in the hope of penetrating into Malwa, and inducing Sindia and Holkar to aid him. Finding this course impracticable, he turned westwards, and made for Poona, in the hope of reaching it before Gen. Smith could arrive; and on the last day of the year he was at Chakam, within eighteen miles of that city.

Col. Burr, on hearing of the approach of the Peishwa, sent for reinforcements to Seroor. A

native battalion 600 strong, with two guns and twenty-six European artillerymen, and a body of 350 native horse, were sent, under the command of Capt. Staunton. On New year's day, on reaching some high ground, they beheld the Peishwa's army of about 20,000 horse and 8000 foot, lying beyond the river Bhima. Capt. Staunton immediately resolved to throw himself into a village named Koragam, on the banks of that stream. His purpose when he began to move thither being guessed, a strong body of infantry, mostly Arabs, was sent to occupy it, and both parties entered the village at the same time at opposite ends. Each party prepared to dislodge the other, and at noon the conflict began. The British were at first the assailants, but being repelled by superior numbers, they were in their turn obliged to act on the defensive. The Arabs, though blown away by the cannon, or driven off by the bayonet, still rushed on like lions, and toward evening they succeeded in capturing one of the guns. They then got into a Choultry, in which the wounded had been placed, and began slaughtering them; but a party of the British rushed in, and bayoneted every man that had entered the rest were then driven off, and the gun was recovered.

The British had had two officers, twelve gunners, and fifty native infantry killed; and three officers, eight gunners, and 103 natives wounded; and there were near 100 of the horse killed, wounded, and missing. Some, therefore, spoke of surrendering; but Capt. Staunton diverted them from this course, and at nine the Arabs quitted the village. Preparations were made during the night for renewing the defence; but before daylight next morning the Peishwa marched away, on hearing of the approach of Gen. Smith. Capt. Staunton led his gallant little band back to Seroor in triumph.

The Peishwa was now hunted backwards and forwards by the divisions of Generals Smith and Pritzler. These joined (Feb. 8) at Sattara; and the fort having surrendered, the flag of the rajah was hoisted, and a proclamation issued, announcing the deposition of the Peishwa. The pursuit was then renewed; and at a place named Ashti, Gen. Smith came up early one morning (20th) with his army, as it was preparing to march. The Peishwa, according to his custom, mounted his horse and fled; but his faithful general, Gokla, made a stand, in order to cover his flight. In the action which ensued, Gen. Smith was wounded, and Gokla slain; and the whole of the camp, with much valuable property, fell into the hands of the British. The rajah of Sattara and his family, who were in the camp, claimed the British protection.

The defeat at Ashti, and the death of Gokla, proved the utter ruin of the affairs of the Peishwa in the south. All the chiefs hastened to proffer their allegiance to the British, or to the rajah of Sattara. The Peishwa, as the rajah of Nagpûr had sent secretly offering to join him, endeavoured to get into Berâr; but his troops were met, and scattered, and he fled with only a small party towards Burhanpûr. In the beginning of April, the rajah of Sattara was formally installed in the principality which he was to hold under the British protection.

The communications of Apa Sahib with the Peishwa, and his inveterate hostility to the British

having been ascertained, beyond a doubt, Lord Hastings was resolved to deprive him of his power. Accordingly, he was formally deposed, and was sent a prisoner to Hindustân. But on the way, he contrived to make his escape, and he found refuge with one of the Gond chiefs, of the Mahadeo hills, who refused to give him up, though offered a large reward.

The Peishwa himself, weary of a life of flight and terror, and aware of the utter hopelessness of the contest, made a voluntary surrender of himself (June 1) to Sir J. Malcolm. He struggled hard to be allowed to retain his dignity; but on being solemnly assured that compliance was impossible, he at length accepted the terms offered, which were an allowance of not less than eight lacs of rupees a year, and a liberal attention to his requests in favour of such of his followers as had been ruined by their devotion to his cause. He was to reside at Benares, or some other sacred place in Hindustân. Lord Hastings ratified these terms, though he regarded them as too favourable, and likely to be of injurious consequence; but Sir J. Malcolm vindicated his policy, and none of the apprehended dangers have since occurred. At all events, if an error, it was on the right side. The deposed Peishwa has lived ever since in peace and tranquillity. Trimbak, who was excepted from pardon, was taken some time after, and was kept a prisoner at Chunar till he died.

The Maratta power, once so formidable, was now at an end. The two great armies which Lord Hastings had assembled had been dissolved in the month of January, and only small divisions of them remained in the field. These were employed in reducing such fortresses as still held out, and in bringing under obedience the Bheels, and other aboriginal tribes of the Vindhya mountains and forests. The Arabs, who had been in the service of the Maratta princes, being dangerous from their valour and ferocity, were gradually reduced in number; and most of those that remained were forced to quit India, and return to their own wilds.

In

It was now found necessary to take active measures for the reduction of Apa Sahib. The Mahadeo hills, in which he had taken refuge, are a cluster lying to the south of the Nerbudda, about eighty miles from Nagpûr. They were covered with thickets, and they contained a great place of pilgrimage-a temple of the god Mahadeo, or Seeva. Hither resorted to him Marattas, Arabs, Pindarries, and other adventurers, to the number of 20,000, as is supposed; and they carried on a desultory kind of warfare against the British. the commencement they had some partial success, and Capt. Sparkes, and two companies of native infantry, were cut to pieces by them; they also took the town of Multai, and came within forty miles of Nagpûr. Throughout the remainder of the year, the British had to continue this harassing species of warfare; but early in the following year (1819) it was abandoned, and preparations were made for a concentrated attack on Apa Sahib's head-quarters. But that chief, knowing his inability to make an effectual resistance, would not await the attack. Accompanied by Cheetoo, the Pindarri, and a few horsemen, he set out for Aseerghur, a strong fortress of Sindia's, the killidar of which he knew to be friendly. Though the

A. D. 1819-23.

British, when aware of his flight, had guarded all the roads leading to that fort, he contrived to enter it; but the killidar would not admit Cheetoo and his followers. When, however, the British had driven them under the walls, a fire of matchlocks from the fort repelled their pursuers, and enabled them to escape.

Apa Sahib did not remain long at Aseer. In the disguise of a religious mendicant, he made his way first to Burhanpûr, and then to Malwa. He was proceeding to Gwalior; when, finding that Sindia would not receive him, he went on to the Punjab, where Runjeet Sing gave him shelter. He then went, and stayed some years with a petty rajah, in the Himalaya; and, finally, he was allowed to return, and reside in Jodhpûr, the rajah being security for his good conduct. Cheetoo having lost all his followers, endeavoured to escape into Malwa; but finding a pass of the Vindhya mountains guarded against him, he took shelter in an adjacent thicket, and he there was devoured by a tiger.

In consequence of the conduct of the governor of Aseerghur, siege was laid to that strong fortress, and it soon was forced to capitulate. Abundant proofs were found in it of Sindia's secret dealings with Apa Sahib, and of its having been by his secret directions that he had been received in the fortress, which, to punish him, it was now determined to retain.

The consequence of the war, undertaken simply for the suppression of the Pindarries, had, through the madness of the Maratta princes, been to establish the British dominion directly, or indirectly, over the whole of India. The entire dominions of the Peishwa, with the exception of the small territory granted to the rajah of Sattara, and the large cessions from Berâr, came directly under the dominion of the Company. Ajmeer, in Rajputana, also became a British possession; and all the Rajpût rajahs, even including the rajah of Ûdypûr, who had never acknowledged the supremacy of Mogul, or Maratta, placed themselves cheerfully under British protection. This system of dependence and protection also extended to Gûzerât and Cutch, and Sindia remained the only prince in India, with whom there was not a subsidiary alliance. Henceforth, war in India has been nearly unknown, and the allied states, though not free from the evils of misgovernment, have advanced steadily in prosperity and happiness.

In all public affairs the Marquis Hastings had displayed a high and noble spirit; it is therefore to be regretted that in a matter of a somewhat private nature his domestic feelings should have led him to act with imprudence. A Mr. W. Palmer, who had been in the military service of the Nizâm, had become a banker and merchant at Hyderabad. He was joined by some of the officers of the residency; and in 1814 the house of Palmer and Co. obtained the sanction of the Bengal government. In 1816, they applied for and obtained exemption from the law interdicting loans to native princes by British subjects; and they immediately engaged in extensive pecuniary transactions with Chandu Lal, the Nizâm's minister. In 1820, they made, with the sanction of the resident, a loan of sixty lacs of rupees to the minister to enable him to pay off arrears and other incumbrances. Just at this time there came out a posi

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tive order from the Court of Directors to withdraw the exemption given to the house of Palmer and Co.; and when Sir Charles Metcalfe, who now became resident, instituted an inquiry into the state of affairs, it appeared that no reduction of expenditure had been made by Chandu Lal; that the debt to the house of Palmer and Co.,-who it appeared had acted on the approved Madras principle in the days of Paul Benfield,-now amounted to nearly 1,000,000l. bearing interest at 25 per cent.; and that large pensions were settled on the members of the firm, their relations, and dependents. The countenance of the government was immediately withdrawn from the firm, and money was lent to Chandu Lal to enable him to close his account with it.

This affair gave afterwards occasion to bitter attacks on the Marquis' character in the Court of Proprietors; for it happened that a leading partner in the firm was Sir W. Rumbold, who had married a young lady for whom the Marquis avowed he had the feelings of a parent. This partiality blinded the eyes of him who was the most disinterested of men, and he defended the house of Palmer and Co. much longer than was consistent with a proper regard for his own high character; but his honour and his integrity came out scatheless from the ordeal.

Sadat Ally, the Vizîr of Oude, died in the first year of Lord Hastings' administration. His son and successor, with the approbation, and even by the advice of the Governor-general, assumed the title of king. This, though it appears, and probably is, a trifling circumstance, has made him to a certain extent independent; for he is no longer a mere Sûbahdâr who can be at any time deprived of his authority.

In

Lord Hastings quitted India (Jan. 1, 1823), after an administration of upwards of nine years, the longest there has been except that of Warren Hastings. He carried with him the respect and esteem of all classes both European and native. His foible had been vanity; but with it were united, as is often the case, the high courtesy and urbanity, which win the heart and control the feelings. The thanks of the Court of Directors and Proprietors had already been voted to him, and a sum of 60,000l. to purchase him an estate, for his liberal disposition had greatly impaired his circumstances. It was in the time of Lord Hastings that the Church establishment of India was formed. Nov. 1814, Dr. Middleton, the newly-appointed Bishop of Calcutta, reached his see. But he was a bishop without a clergy, for in the whole of British India at that time there were little more than thirty chaplains. He was a man of learning and piety, and good intentions; but he was deficient in knowledge of the world and human nature, and too full of the idea of the dignity of the episcopal office. He attached perhaps too much importance to things of inferior consequence in the eyes of people of more enlarged views; and he evinced a somewhat too captious disposition which impaired his influence. But he effected much good notwithstanding. He organized the clerical body, increased the number of chaplains, caused churches to be erected in various parts of India, and founded an extensive missionary college named Bishop's College at Calcutta, which, however, he did not live to see completed, and which has as

yet by no means answered the high expectations of its founder.

Bishop Middleton breathed his last on the 8th July, 1822. His successor was the pious and amiable Reginald Heber.

CHAPTER XI.

Lord Amherst Governor-general-The Burman Empire-War with the Burmese-Capture of Rangoon-Progress of the War-March for Prome-Reduction of DonabewOccupation of Prome-Reduction of Aracan-Successive Defeats of the Burmese-Conclusion of Peace-Mutiny at Barrakpore-Affairs of Bhurtpore-Capture and Demolition of the Fortress.

THE person appointed to succeed Lord Hastings had been that brilliant orator and statesman, George Canning; but the sudden death of his rival, Lord Londonderry, just at this conjuncture, had opened to his view a career much more suited to his taste, and he declined the pomp of Indian sovereignty. The high office was then conferred on Lord Amherst, and he reached Calcutta on the 1st August, 1823, eight months after the departure of his predecessor.

Though the whole of India was under British sway, and no internal commotions were to be apprehended, there was a power on the confines which had not yet experienced the British prowess, and with which causes of quarrel had been for some time accumulating. This was the Burman empire in the eastern peninsula, which, being of recent formation, still retained the vigour to which it owed its origin.

The peninsula, named by the ancients the Golden Chersonese, by the moderns India beyond the Ganges, is watered by three great rivers, running nearly parallel from north to south. They are named the Irrawaddy, the Menam, and the Cambodia. The first runs through the kingdoms of Ava and Pegu; the second, through that of Siam; and the last through Cochin China. From between the mouths of the Irrawaddy and the Menam, stretches the long narrow peninsula of Malacca; on the western coast of the great peninsula, and joining India, lies the country named Aracan. Further north is a state named Cachar, and above it the valley of Assam, through which flows the upper course of the Brahmaputra.

Ava, the people of which are named the Burmans, seems to have depended on the kingdom of Pegu. In the first half of the last century, the Burmans revolted and reduced Pegu; but they were soon after brought back to their former state of subjection. This, however, did not long continue; a Burman, named Alompra, who commenced operations with only a couple of hundred followers, and augmented his forces as he prospered, eventually succeeded in erecting the Burman dominion on the ruins of that of Pegu, the whole of which he conquered. He also subjugated Aracan and Manipur, in the eastern part of Cachar; and Assam fell under the power of the Burmans, in consequence of their being called in by rival claimants of the throne.

The occupation of Aracan and Assam brought

the Burman dominions into contact with those of the British. The Burmans, insolent with success, committed sundry acts of aggression; and they even had the audacity to claim of Lord Hastings the surrender of Chittagong, Dacca, and Moorshedabad, in Bengal, as having been originally dependencies of Aracan, with a menace of hostilities in case of a refusal. Lord Hastings treated the demand with cool contempt, and there the matter rested when he left India. Soon, however, after the arrival of Lord Amherst, the Burmans made preparations for the conquest of Cachar, whose rajah applied to the British for protection. As it must either be given, or the Burmans be allowed to extend their frontier along the whole east of Bengal, the government saw it was no time for hesitation. Accordingly, troops were marched from Dacca to Sylhet, on the frontiers of Cachar; and when the Burmans invaded that country from Assam and Manipûr, the British acted against them. The immediate cause of war, however, between the two powers was the invasion by the Burmans of the little island of Shahpoorea, off the coast of Chittagong, on which the British had placed a guard of thirteen Sepoys, three of whom were killed, and the rest driven off. As the Burman court would give no satisfaction for that outrage, and still advanced its claim to Chittagong, and the other districts, no alternative remained but war; and on the 5th March, 1824, war was declared.

The plan adopted for the ensuing campaign was, that while a force, under Gen. McMorine, should move along the banks of the Brahmaputra, and enter Assam, where the people were known to be ill-disposed toward their Burman masters, a much larger force, under Sir Archibald Campbell, should attack Rangoon, on the southern coast of Pegu. The former moved from Goolpoor on the 13th, and after encountering much difficulty from the state of the country over which they had to march, entered Assam ; but the Burmese retired as they advanced, and the gradual reduction of the whole country was effected without much difficulty.

The great expedition was to be composed of troops from Bengal and Madras; and Port Cornwallis, the Great Andaman Isle, was the place of rendezvous. The whole number of troops to be employed, European and native, exceeded 11,000 men, all of which, but about 2000, were to come from Madras. In the beginning of May, all the troops, except the second division of the Madras forces, having arrived, the expedition sailed, accompanied by the Liffey, Commodore Grant, and three other small king's ships, some of the Company's cruisers, and the Diana steamer, the first of these vessels ever employed in war. On the 9th, they were off the mouth of the Rangoon river, and at noon, on the 11th, the fleet reached the town itself. The Liffey quickly silenced the fire of the enemy, the authorities and the inhabitants fled from the town, and at four o'clock the British flag was waving over it. As the Burmans, like the Nepâlese, made great use of stockades in war, and were very expert in the construction, and courageous in the defence of them, the attacks on these defences gave employment to the British troops for the remainder of the month, and many brilliant actions, though of course on a small