Recollections of Four Years' Service in the East with H.M. Fortieth Regiment Under Major-General Sir W. Nott

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXL--Conclusion. Lord Ellenborough's Government.--Grand Review of the Forces at Ferozepore.--Breaking up of the Army.--Farewell Address of General Nott to the Candahar Force.--Receive Orders to return to England with Colonel Hibbert, &c.--Departure.--Lieutenant Henry Seymour. The first great act in Lord Ellenborough's administration was now at an end. By his prudence in placing a discretionary power in the hands of his generals, the honour and renown of the British arms had been retrieved in Affghanistan. I defy any man, if Nott had failed in his advance, to attribute any blame to Lord Ellenborough; and, if no blame could attach to him in failure, surely no merit should accrue to him from success. Such is the specious argument formed for this event. But would such reasoning have been adopted or admitted had failure, instead of success, attended the operations of General Nott? Lord Ellenborough's government in the East has now terminated, but the benefits arising from the wisdom which distinguished it will long be felt. On his arrival in India, disasters, defeats, and revolts met him on all sides; added to which, the public treasury was nearly exhausted. What an altered--what an improved appearance have affairs since then assumed! Our Eastern Empire, after two years of continued triumphs, has risen to, and now enjoys, a state of prosperity which it had not known for years. Such is the best proof of the sagacity of his Lordship's administration; and, if further evidences are wanting, they are to be found in the importance which has been attached to trifles--the elaborate criticisms which have been levelled at his proclamations (in which if there do exist objections, they are merely in style, and in one it is but just to consider to whom it wa...