SIR HARRY SMITH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 86, 28 August 1852, Page 4

SIR HARRY SMITH.

A London Journal makes the following comments on Earl Grey's despatch recalling Sir Harry Smith. Earl Grey has chosen to give publicity iii England to the dispatch recalling Sir Harry Smith from the Cape long before the letter itself can reach its address. There is, to us, something exquisitely cowardly in thus publishing a condemnation of another before he has any chance of answering it. Lord Grey might, with grace and dignity as well as success, have postponed this accusatory despatch till the return of the party inculpated. He had recalled Sir Harry Smith ; that was enough to tell the world that he declined any further responsibility on the ex-Governor's account, and that he disapproved of what had been done in the Government. But none are so savage as those who are frightened ; the Colonial Office was in danger at home, and that was of more imminent account than the Kaffir frontier. Yet Earl Grey owed much to Sir Harry Smith for doing his utmost to maintain British authority against the Cape Colonists when Earl Grey was threatening them with the convict infliction, and when Sir Harry himself was secretly protesting to the Home Government that they would never bear it. He did not betray his chief as his chief has betrayed him. The substance of Earl Grey's charge is, that Sir Harry allowed the troops in the Colony to be sent home too soon for its safety, though he is obliged to confess himself partly answerable for the fault in constantly urging upon the Governor the need of retrenchment. Then the Colonial Secretary asserts that he has been constantly sending reinforcements before they were asked for, and that still they have not proved sufficient; and lastly, the real gravamen of the charge, Sir Harry is told that he has been continually raising false hopes in Downing-street, and as continually suffering them to be disappointed. Earl Grey could make no case of success for Parliament, and, like Fag in the Rivals, he kicks his subordinate errand-boy because his,master kicks him. There is really no more decorum in the manner, whatever may be the consequence of the matter. How mean is the implication which could lay the death of poor Colonel Fordyce to the account of his commander, and how untrue ! It cannot be forgotten that Earl Grey's conduct in the convict affair had deprived Sir Harry of the most necessary aid, popularity with the colonists themselves. The

Governor's influence was worn out in Earl Grey's service. W Te will not excuse Sir Harry for not manfully keeping or demanding the forces he required. He was deficient in foresight, yet he has had to cope with unprecedented treachery. The native levies in the service have acted against him, and gone over with their arms to the rebels to help them. Sir Harry has evidently dreaded too much the responsibility of incurring expense; he has wished to stand too well with the Colonial office, and so risked his duty to his country. The Colonial-office naturally punishes the error with a severity that looks absolutely j malignant. Let it be remembered that the arms and accoutrements furnished to the troops have been ridiculously unlit, that the authorities in Cape Town neglected to prevent the supply of war material ' exported from this country' to the Kaffirs by blockading the coast, and that the Duke of Wellington declares that, in all respects but one, Sir Harry Smith has done all that a General could do. We are glad that our opinion anticipated that of his Grace. This one neglect has been the non cutting- of roads through the bush, to give instant success to the soldiery into all the Kaffir fortresses. This, the Duke owns would be an expensive, though not so protracted a war, and here again we see a desire to. spare the Colonial-office estimates, though most unwisely. General Cathcart is sent out with fresh instructions. His Parliament is to be called as soon as possible. He is thus to have confidence restored to the Colonists. He is to have a Lieutenant-Gover-nor at Cape Town, who can order what is needed in his absence on the frontier. The inefficient Deputy on the orange river is recalled. There will be better fire-arms in the hands of the troops. The Colonists will be called on to do their own work, and, though the new Governor is ordered to quell the Kaffirs as a preliminary, the question of boundary, or a peace, is left much to the consideration of whether the Colonists will contribute mainly to its defence. And a fatal necessity is admitted, that they must deal as their safety requires with the savage foe. The experience of reverses has taught some wisdom. All these points are in favour of success, which, for the sake of England, we most heartily wish to the new Governor. On behalf of an old soldier, wantonly insulted, if not unjustly dismissed, we state the advantages given to his successor, not doubting that the spirit of the country is thoroughly expressed by Mr. J.Williams, in his honest Parliamentary skirmish on behalf of an assailed reputation, which the people will be most ready to defend as their own honour.