Page:Sir Henry Lawrence, the Pacificator.djvu/181

172 native soldiers, as having much the same feelings, the same ambition, the same perception of ability and imbecility as ourselves, we shall never be safe.

'I have not seen original articles on the cartridge question, but almost every letter and article in the English papers regarding Barrackpur, Ambála, Meerut, Berhampur, and Dinápur, have been translated. The original articles chiefly refer to local grievances and personalities. The politics of the editor are to be chiefly gathered from pithy exclamations, &c., heading an article, as "How good," "Wonderful," "Mutiny at ——," &c., "More fires," with plentiful supply of the words "mutiny," "disobedience," "disturbance."

'I would not trouble any of them, but, with your Lordship's permission, I think we might squash half the number by helping one or two of the cleverest with information, and even with editorials and illustrations. Dr. Ogilvie tells me that more than one of the English illustrated papers would, for a good purpose, sell cheap their half-worn plates. An illustrated vernacular paper cleverly edited would tell well, and do good politically and morally. I will be glad of your Lordship's sanction to a trial, not involving above 5,000 rupees or £500. Of course I would not appear, and I would use the present editors; at any rate try to do so.

'I shall be quite willing to hold Oudh entirely with irregulars, aided by one or one and a-half regiments of Europeans and a couple of batteries of European artillery, but I should ask, as your Lordship contemplates, that the corps be of three classes, one-third mixed as at present, one-third with the Pathán and other Muhammadan tribes prevailing, and a third of Sikhs; indeed, I should like to add a fourth of the Pasí, or local outcast tribes, who are fine hardy fellows and get service in the Bombay army. ...

'It is so far well that the 48th have given up the letter,