MISSION OF COL. BRADSHAW.

181

insisted on until the commissioners in Goruckpore should be able to extend their inquiries to Sarun. It appeared, however, to the new Governor-General that the question of right had been so unequivocally decided by the previous proceedings, that it needed no further deliberation; and Lieutenant-Colonel Bradshaw was authorised to proceed to the spot in company with the Goorkha Commissioners, for the purpose only of adjusting any minor points which might

that, in consequence of a letter which I received from Mr. Hawkins, of Patna, assuring me that Bir Kishore Sing would be punished by the British government, I did not punish him as I should otherwise have done; I, however, recovered possession of the twenty-two villages which he had seized. Mr. Young was afterwards sent to investigate the question respecting these villages. By his inquiries the right of this Government, and aggression of the Zumindar of Bettia, were fully established; the Betteah man could produce no documents whatever in support of his claim. Mr. Young has probably reported this to government. You will state these observations in a proper manner."-Nepaul Papers, 383.

remain to be set at rest. The villages had in the meantime been conditionally evacuated by the Nepaulese. Their own Commissioners disapproved of the temporary transfer ; and, making their disapproval a plea for closing the conference, refused to hold any further communication with the British representative, and returned abruptly to Nepaul.*

It was evident, from the conduct of the Goorkha Commissioners, that the Court of Khatmandoo had no serious intention to concur in

* The abrupt departure of the Commissioners is referred by Mr. Prinsep to the receipt, by the Rajah of Nepaul, of the letter of the Governor-General, declaring his resolution to occupy the disputed lands by force, if not given up within a specified period. According to the document last quoted, it arose from personal dissatisfaction with the British Commissioner. "They had an interview with the Major, who made use of improper language towards them; in consequence of which they remained silent, and seeing no business brought forward, they came away.”—Nepaul Papers; 384. (The state papers of Nepaul appear to be no more veracious than those of more civilized nations.)

HOSTILE MEASURES.

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any amicable settlement; but unwilling to precipitate a quarrel, the Governor-General renewed in an address to the Rajah the remonstrances and arguments that had been hitherto urged in vain, requiring him to acquiesce in the conclusion which had been established by the conferences of the Commissioners both in Goruckpore and Sarun, and to accede to the peaceable occupation of the lands by the civil officers of the British government. A refusal to acknowledge the Company's rights was, after some delay, received. No alternative, therefore, remained but the relinquishment of the claims which had been substantiated, or their resolute vindication.

The latter was adopted. The villages on the Sarun frontier were retained, and a detachment was sent into Bhotwal and Sheoraj before which the Nepaulese authorities retired without attempting to offer any resistance.*

The

* These details are taken chiefly from the Narrative of the War, by the Marquis of Hastings.-Nepaul Papers, 673. The opinions of the council, as commu

promptitude and decision which characterized the measures of the British government convinced the Court of Khatmandoo that the crisis which it must have contemplated had now arrived, and that disputes respecting border lands had terminated in the alternative of peace or war. The question was deliberately considered in a council of the principal chiefs, and a

nicated to the Rajah of Palpah, fell into the hands of the English, and were printed by Mr. Prinsep. The Rajah proposes war, and is seconded by Bhim Sen Thapa, the Regent. The strength of the country, and military power and reputation of Nepaul, are the chief topics of reliance. On the other hand, some fear is expressed of the defection of the hill Rajahs, by which an opening into the mountains may be afforded to the enemy; and

some of the chiefs do not hesitate to declare their opinion of the superiority of the British forces. We have hitherto, say they, but hunted deer; if we engage in this war, we must prepare to fight tigers. It is clear that the war was disapproved of by the most judicious of the Rajah's advisers, and that it originated chiefly in the presumption and ignorance of the Regent.— Prinsep's Transactions in India, 8vo. ed. Vol. I. App. 457.

NEPAULESE CONFIDENCE.

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summary of their opinions was transmitted to the military governors of the frontier. In deference to the sentiments of the Rajah, or rather of the Regent-minister, who advocated hostilities, the conclusion of the council was for war; but several of the chiefs entertained sounder views of its probable consequences, urged perseverance in the course of policy hitherto pursued, and recommended, if unavoidable, the ultimate concession of the disputed territory below the hills. To these prudent recommendations were opposed the uniform success which had hitherto attended the arms of Nepaul, the powerful military force of the principality, and the natural strength of the country, which constituted an impregnable barrier against an English invasion. The small fort of Bhurtpore, argued the minister, was the work of man, yet the British were defeated in their attempts against it. How little then, was it likely that they should storm the mountain fastnesses constructed by the hand of God! The determination, however unwise, indicated a lofty and patriotic spirit; but the