the midst of battle. Brilliant indeed has been his career as a soldier and a statesman, from the battle fields of Spain to the victories on the banks of the Sutlej; and it is a subject of deep thankfulness that the destinies of our Indian empire, during the late critical events, have been, under the blessing of Divine Providence, guided by the able hands of Sir Henry Hardinge.

SCINDE. The chief event this year that deserves notice in connexion with our occupation of Scinde, was the successful prosecution of military operations by Major-General Sir Charles Napier against the mountain desert tribes on the right bank of the Indus north of Shikarpoor. This was a most harassing service, and required, to use the words of Sir Henry Hardinge, in a general

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order announcing the result, on the part of the General the utmost prudence, skill, and foresight; and on the part of the troops, the greatest fortitude in enduring the fatigues and privations to which they were exposed."

Sir Charles Napier communicated the intelligence to the Governor-General in the following despatch:

"Dated Camp at Truckee, 9th March, 1845.

"Right Honourable Sir,-I have to report to you the conclusion of the war against the mountain and desert tribes, who, driven into their last refuge, the stronghold at Truckee, have this day laid down their arms; the fort of Deyrah is destroyed; and Islam Boogtie, the only chief not a prisoner, is said to be a lonely fugitive in the Ketrau country, far in

the north, and ruled by a chief whose daughter Islam married.

To detail the movements which led to this result would produce a despatch of greater length than is necessary; nor indeed could it be well understood, as no map exists of this part of Sehwistan and Cutchee; suffice it, therefore, to say, that the mountain tribes occupy a country of extensive deserts and barren mountains, stretching about 140 miles from east to west. On the western side it is about 120 miles in breadth, but has a triangular form, and diminishes towards the east to the breadth of about fifty miles. Into this apex, or smaller part, we succeeded in driving the robber chiefs, but with great difficulty, for this part of the country is full of the most dangerous deregular force, is an operation files. To enter them with a

which threatens it with destruc

tion. The only credit to be acquired in such a war is that which results from patience under privations created by the dearth of water and the difficulty of getting up supplies. These deprivations were borne by this whole force with so much good-humour, as to show that the eager desire of every one to do his duty absorbed all other feelings, and deserves my highest praise. These privations fell especially hard upon those hard-working and muchenduring men called camp-followers.

"The demands of this campaign at times placed Major-Generals Simpson and Hunter in commands which, in point of numbers, were more suited to the rank of captains than to that of general officers; but well aware of the vast import

ance attaching to each post in so dangerous a country as this, these general officers devoted themselves, with the greatest alacrity, to the duties demanded of them. In short, I must speak in the highest terms of all the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates in this field force, whether belonging to the general staff, my personal staff, or to regiments. Everything has been accomplished by their personal exertions, each in his own sphere. I have also been fortunate in the commanders of all arms, and I therefore give a simple list of their names in the margin, that whatever credit the Supreme Government may deem due to the troops may be theirs.

"This force consists of 4861 men of all arms, including noncommissioned officers,-a small force, when it is considered over what an extensive tract of country our operations have been carried, and the difficult nature of that country.

"The result of this campaign may be divided into two partsthe physical effect, and the moral effect.

With regard to the first, the results are as follow:-First, The total destruction of the robber tribes; Deyriah Khan, chief of the Jackranies, Dinanah Moondrannee, Sooliman Ramdanee, and Toork Ali, and their tribes, all surrendered on the 5th, accompanied by Jumal Khan, nephew of Beeja Khan Doomkie, with a large portion of that tribe. These men I pardoned and saved from plunder, but on condition of their being transplanted into the Scinde territory; the great chief Beeja Khan, and the rest of the Doomkies, refused to surrender on the proffered conditions. They held

out till this day, when they were forced to submit unconditionally, together with Meer Hussen Notanee, a leading chief of the Boogtie tribe, and his followers; also Mundoo Khan Doomkie, nephew to Beejar Khan, and Wuzeer Doomkie, son of Beejar Khan; Ali Sher Boordie, a minor desert chief, surrendered a week ago, and was the first who broke the coalition. The chiefs and their tribes who held out have been deservedly plundered by the troops which I had despatched in all directions to intercept their retreat with their baggage, cattle, and household furniture; almost everything has been taken, except what was in possession of their women and children, who have been in no way molested, or even approached by the troops.

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The moral effect of this expedition has been

"1st. To spread a wholesome respect for our arms among the neighbouring nations, who, seeing that tribes so warlike and honoured among them have been broken to pieces without daring to fight a battle even when posted in the celebrated fastness of Truckee, will form a just idea of the British power. Indeed, I have already received within the last few days letters from neighbouring tribes, asking me to attach their territory to Scinde, to be under the British rule, and thus to be protected from the pillage and misery in which they live.

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2nd. The moral effect in Scinde will be to give confidence to the people (especially those bordering on the desert frontier) whose cries against the Government during the last summer, for not affording them protection against the robber tribes, were

both frequent and just; but the great heat at that time rendered it impossible to give them that protection. The example now made of the robber tribes will show the people of Scinde that the Government has both the will and the power to protect them. "The above results can hardly

be denied.

"In conclusion, I have to observe that the war lasted from the 16th of January to the 9th of March, a period of fifty-two days. This was too long, but the robbers had stricken such terror into the camel-owners, that to get sufficient carriage for our supplies was difficult in the extreme; and if we had fallen back one march to meet our provisions, during our operations, the exultation among the robbers and all their allies would assuredly have been so sudden and so great, that I think it very doubtful whether we must not have retreated altogether, for our camel-men would have deserted, and enemies would have risen up in every direction.

"On one occasion, we were so closely pressed by the scarcity of provisions, that I sent off the camel corps under Lieut. Fitzgerald, who reached Shahpoor in one march from the Jummuck Pass, making three marches in one, and then returned the same distance with 43,000 lbs. of provisions, thus doing in two days

and a night what a convoy of hired camels would take six days and six nights to perform, besides requiring a guard; whereas the camel corps required no guard, the drivers being well armed with muskets. There could scarcely be a better specimen of the great power of this corps, even in its infancy.

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Had a baggage camel corps been formed, this campaign could easily have been concluded in thirty days. In the above forced march made by the camel corps, not one animal was lost, nor did any of them fail till during the last week, when, being obliged to make a forced march among these tremendous rocks, the corps lost fifteen animals; but this is not marching it is climbing. show the nature of the ground over which we have carried on our operations during the last three weeks, I have only to say, that the robbers have been seen pulling their camels up precipices by ropes; and they probably knew the easiest places of access.

To

"The campaign has convinced me of the necessity of a camel baggage corps being formed on a very extensive scale. Without that the loss of camels will always be immense in the field, and the efficiency of the army liable to be paralyzed at the most critical moment of the campaign."

few reserved for the decision of Her Majesty's Government have been so dealt with under circumstances which, from positive instructions, or otherwise, have rendered it imperative on me to pursue that course. The Act to amend the Ordinance Act of the last session of the late Parliament, comes necessarily under that description, as it affects the property of the Crown.

"I have received authentic information of the passing of an Act by the Legislature of the United States, which may seriously affect the commercial interests of this province. I will not fail to submit the subject for the attention of Her Majesty's Government, and I am sure that it will receive the most earnest consideration. "Gentlemen of the Legislative

Assembly,

"I return you my hearty thanks for the liberality with which you have provided the requisite means for the due administration of our affairs. I shall anxiously co-operate with you in every measure of economy consistent with the efficiency of the public service. It is satisfactory to observe, that the prosperous condition of our revenue enables us, after providing for a reduction of the public debt by commencing the establishment of a sinking fund for the redemption of the guaranteed loan, to apply a considerable sum to additional public works calculated to produce great advantage.

"Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,

"You are about to return to your homes to resume those occupations which in most cases are indispensable for the support of

your families, and which are unavoidably interrupted with some degree of injury to yourselves by your attendance on Parliamentary duties. I earnestly hope that you may be successful in your undertakings, and I beg you to convey to your several constituencies the assurances that Her Majesty's Government ardently desires the welfare of this province, and is anxious that the whole of its inhabitants, without distinction and with perfect equality, may enjoy all the rights and privileges of a free people, and experience the prosperity, contentment, and happiness which are naturally derived from unfettered industry, prudent enterprise, good fellowship, and brotherly love. And now, gentlemen, with the heartfelt wish that you may be partakers in these blessings, I will say farewell until we meet again. I cannot, however, conclude without expressing my warmest thanks for the aid and support which you have afforded to Her Majesty's Government by your loyal, zealous, and patriotic labours."

Two terrific fires occurred in Quebec, of an extent and nature to justify a notice in our pages. The first happened on the 28th of May, when, in the course of the morning a tannery was discovered to be in flames.

"The day was remarkably warm, and the heat and dryness of the few days previous had rendered the roofs of the buildings in the neighbourhood, and those more remote, highly susceptible of ignition. The adjoining and opposite dwellings were soon involved, and in an inconceivably short space of time, the burning flakes, carried afar by the then rising wind, had ignited some buildings in the neighbourhood of the St. Roch's