Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/468

This page needs to be proofread.
POT
POY

blood, a treaty of peace was concluded on board the Cornwallis at Nankin, 26th August 1842, under which China was compelled to pay 21,000,000 dollars of an indemnity; Canton, Amoy, Foochoofoo, Ningpo, and Shanghae were thrown open to commerce; the opium trade was effectually fastened on the Chinese; and Hong Kong was ceded to the United Kingdom. The Grand Cross of the Bath was conferred upon him, and after his return in 1844 he was made a Privy-Councillor, and a pension of £1,500 was voted him by Parliament. The highest military rank he attained appears to have been that of Major-General in the East India Company's service. He was governor of the Cape of Good Hope in 1846 and 1847, and of Madras from 1847 to 1854. Sir Henry Pottinger died at Malta, i8th March 1856, aged 66. He is described as an able and upright public officer, and an estimable man in all the relations of life.

'*'54) "6(28) 1=4 

Pottinger, Eldred, Major, the " Defender of Herat," nephew of preceding, son of Thomas Pottinger, of Mount Pottinger, in the County of Down, was born 12th August 1811. When but fourteen he was placed at Addiscombe, and after two years' training joined the head-quarters of an artillery regiment in India. In 1837, disguised as a native Cutch horse-dealer, he proceeded on an exploring expedition into Afghanistan. After his arrival in Herat in September, the city was invested by a Persian army under Mahomed Shah, largely officered by Russians. Considering it would be conducive to British interests that the designs of the Persians should be thwarted, he made himself known to Yar Mahomed, and engaged resolutely in the organization of the defence. It was owing to Pottinger's courage and determination that the Persians were compelled to raise the siege at the end of a year. For this service he was promoted to a brevet majority, was made a Companion of the Bath, and in 1841 was appointed political agent at Herat, and soon afterwards at Cabul. In December 1841 the small British force at Cabul was suddenly attacked by the Kohistanees, and several of his companions were murdered. With a little body of Ghoorkas he made an effort to reach Charekur, but was ultimately obliged to surrender on humiliating terms, and for nine months remained a prisoner in the hands of Akbar Khan, who treated him with great consideration. In 1843, after his release, a court of inquiry was held to consider a certain treaty he had signed for the evacuation of Afghanistan, and bills for large amounts drawn by him on the British government in payment of an indemnity to the enemy. His judgment and conduct were amply justified. Major Pottinger did not live long to enjoy his honours, or receive the further rewards that were in store for him. He died of fever, while on a visit to his uncle, Sir Henry Pottinger, at Hong Kong, 15th November 1843, aged 32.

'^9T 

Power, Tyrone, an eminent actor, born about 1795 — according to one account in the County of Waterford; according to another, at Swansea, of Irish parents. His real name was Thomas Powell. He served his time as a compositor, but ultimately abandoned printing, and went on the stage, where he soon attained a high position. After some experience in tragedy, he took up Irish comedy — to suit which he "manufactured" an admirable brogue. In 1818 he retired from the boards; but returned in 1821, and became manager of the Olympic Theatre in 1823. He appeared at Drury-lane the same year. In 1824 he achieved a triumph as "Paddy O'Halloran," and thenceforward devoted himself to Irish characters. Mr. Power travelled in America in 1833-'4-'5, and published his Impressions of America in 1836. In 1840 he made a second tour through the States, and sailed from New York on his return, in the steamer President, on 11th March 1841. Nothing was ever heard of this ill-fated vessel, and it is supposed she foundered in a storm, or came in collision with floating ice. Mr. Power was the author of some novels. An interesting note on his last appearance in Dublin, 20th June 1840, will be found in Notes and Queries, 2nd Series. His son. Sir W. Tyrone Power, has written several books of travel.

'* ^^ 

Poynings, Sir Edward, an English statesman, sent to Ireland in 1494 by King Henry VII. as Deputy for his son Henry (afterwards King Henry VIII.), then in his fourth year. The King had long been anxious concerning the independent attitude of the Irish Lords of the Pale, and their intrigues with Scotland and France, but thought it better to curb rather than weaken their power, lest the native Irish chiefs throughout the country should assert their complete independence. Poynings, who had already distinguished himself in diplomatic missions, landed at Howth on the 13th October 1494, having several English officers in his train, and 1,000 soldiers. With the Earl of Ormond, he almost immediately marched north against the O'Donnells, but could not pene-

444