1 ( xvi)
2 with whom it is disgrace for respectable persons to have any dealings, and
3 whom all good men must, as a matter of course, look on as objects of pity,
4 not of dread, with detestation possibly, but never with fear.
5 12. In nothing did Major Jacob’s influence over these Frontier Tribes
6 strike one more than in the change of public feeling among them with regard
7 to the profession of a robber. Formerly, rapine was looked on as the only
8 occupation befitting men of rank, and the professed robber was regarded with
9 terror, not unmixed with admiration, A few plunderers were sufficient to scare
10 the whole country side, and their exploits were the objects of admiration to
11 all young men of spirit.
12 13. The case appears to be widely different now. Plundering is looked
13 on as disreputable and unbecoming a man who has any claim to respectability,
14 and the honest cultivator, fortified by the feeling that the general sense is
15 against the plunderer as a malefactor, is not afraid to meet him on equal
16 terms, and considers himself the better man of the two. This feeling is of
17 course much stronger in the Troops, and their thorough contempt for plun-
18 derers as malefactors, rather than enemies, has been productive of a corres-
19 ponding feeling, which makes the plunderers afraid to meet the regular
20 Troops on any thing like equal terms.
21 14. As perfect information as possible is obtained regarding all move-
22 ments, or intended movements, of the plundering Tribes residing beyond our
23 border, and such information is acted on with the greatest activity ; Major
24 Jacoh’s knowledge of the nature and habits of the Reloochee robbers being
25 sufficient to enable him, in most instances, to judge correctly of their probable
26 proceedings, and effectually to check and counteract them at a distance from
27 British boundaries.
28 15. Strict justice is always meted out, and no success or want of success,
29 or any other circumstance whatever, is allowed to influence the terms offered
30 to, or the treatment of offenders, whether whole Tribes or individuals. Vio-
31 lence, robbery, bloodshed are held as equally criminal and disreputable in all
32 men ; the abandonment of such practices, and the adoption of peaceful and in-
33 dustrious habits, is considered as most honorable and encouraged in every way.
34 16, In short, to quote Major Jacob’s own words in a memorandum on
35 the sabject with which he furnished me—‘‘ The essence of the whole busi-
36 ‘ness is first-to put down all violence with a strong hand, then your force being
37 “known, felt, and respected, endeavor to excite men’s better natures, till all
38 “men seeing that your subject is good and of the greatest general benefit to
39 “the community, join heart and hand to aid in putting down or preventing
40 “ violence,