After this Colonel Somerset followed up his success. Many skirmishes, much plunder, and considerable loss of life occurred, but, in the end, the British forces remained victors. The Caffres, however, were not prevented from reorganising themselves for fresh forays.
STATE OF NEW ZEALAND.—SUPPRESSION OF THE NATIVE REVOLT.
It was not at the Cape only that our troops had to contend with savages of a superior race: the year began with a conflict in New Zealand. Captain Grey, the governor, having in vain endeavoured to conciliate the disaffected chiefs, proceeded, at the head of eleven hundred men—sailors, marines, and soldiers—to attack the principal pal, which was defended by stockades, so skilfully constructed, that it was necessary to erect works, and mount cannon and mortars, to dislodge their occupants. The subjugation of the place was effected after severe loss on the part of the enemy, and, unhappily, considerable loss on the part of her majesty’s force. The capture of the pal led to the surrender of the chiefs, and before the month of January expired, peace was restored to the colony.
BORNEO.
The proceedings of the Borneo pirates having led the British Rajah Brooke to demand assistance, Captain Mundy, under the direction of Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, operated during the month of July in command of an effective maritime force. The squadron sailed up the river to Brune, the capital of the country, which was defended by several strong forts, and a heavy battery, à fleur d’eau, of eight brass and two iron guns, sixty-eight pounders. All; these defences were carried by the British sailors and marines, and terrible destruction inflicted upon the pirates. After effecting what appeared to be a complete subjugation of these hordes of sea robbers infesting these coasts, the squadron retired.
OUR NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES.
Canada.—The relations between Great Britain and the United States were so unsatisfactory at the beginning of this year that considerable uneasiness existed in Canada lest war should break out, and that colony become the chief theatre of contest. A militia bill passed the Canadian legislature, which was calculated to give confidence to the imperial government, and which placed the colony in an armed attitude towards her great neighbour.