the Chinese emperor agreed to pay a sum of money, and to cede, or give up, to the British government, the Island of Hong Kong; besides agreeing that English ships might land goods for sale, at five ports, instead of one only, and that British merchants might have warehouses, and reside at those places. A treaty to this effect was signed in August, 1842.
24. The war in India, was much more serious, and lasted a great deal longer. It was begun for the purpose of restoring to his throne an Indian prince, the king of Caboul, who had been deprived of his kingdom by another prince.
25. The wars occasioned by this usurpation being likely to endanger the safety of the British possessions, the Governor General thought it necessary to interfere; and from the year 1839 to that of 1846, the British armies in India were engaged in terrible and destructive wars with the Affghans, and other nations in the north and west of India.
26. These calamitous strifes were happily ended by two great victories gained on the banks of the Sutlej, at the beginning of 1846, the one by General Sir Harry Smith, the other, by General Sir Hugh Gough. By the conquests made during these wars, the British empire is extended over the greater part of India.
