The Press. — London, England, 1857-08-08 00:00:00

Strong objections to the proposed constitution of the court were urged by Lord J. Manners, Mr. Malins, Lord J. Russell, and Mr. Henley. Sir G. GREY P.uggested that the clause might be allowed to stand until the other clauses were con sidered, and upon the report of the holm might decide upon the expediency of any alteration in the constitution of the court. A long discussion, in which the unprecedented conduct of the Government supporting a clause which they themselves admitted required modifica ti'n, terminated in a division in favour of the clause in its original form, of 105 to 71. In the oth clause, to the matters reserved for the jurisdiction of not less than three judges of the court were added petitions for annulling a marriage. While this clause was under discussion the Go vernment were much pressed, as the existing country machinery was to be swept away, to provide some local jurisdiction, and an amendment was moved by Mr. Dnusisionn (which he subsequently withdrew, as being informal), empowering the judgs ordi nary, within certain limitations, to authorise the County Courts to try cases and decree judicial sepa ration. . . Upon a division clause 9 was carried by 139 to 80. - - On arriving at the 15th clause, the chairman was ordered to report progress. The Constables (Detached Parts of Counties) Bill was withdrawn. Sir J. BULLER moved the second reading of the Prisoners' Removal Bill, but., Mr. MASSEY objecting to the measure, the motion was withdrawn, and the order for the second reading was discharged. Sir F. liEr.r.y moved the third reading of the Wills, &c., of British Subjects Abroad Bill, which, although opposed by the ATTORNEY•GENERAL, was agreed to, ana the bill passed. The report of the committee of supply was brought up and agreed to. The Sale of Obscene Books, S:c., Prevention Bill was committed pro fornul. On the order for going into committee upon the Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Act Amendment Bill, Mr. Cox moved to defer the committee for three months, but this motion was negatived and the house went into committee on the bill. Mr. AYRTON moved that the chairman leave the chair, arid, upon a division, this motion was carried by a majority of 1.-45 to 44. THE PRESS, AUGUST 8, 1857. THE REBELLION IN INDIA. THE Indian despatches and private letters published last Saturday and during the week at length give us some details upon the actual state of India. Delhi was not captured up to the 16th. The rebellion is universal throughout Bengal, the country is infested with banditti, the telegraphs are everywhere cut, and travelling by road or river is no longer secure. " All the natives," writes a correspondent limn Neemuch, "have turned against us. Everywhere they are disrespectful, and, under the impression that our government is at an end, offer up daily prayers for the success of the King of Delhi." A proclamation is in circulation at Nagpore and all over India drawing notice t) a pro phecy that the reign of the Feringhees in the East would cease on the 23rd of June, 1857—exactly 100 years from the battle of Plassey—and the followers of Mahomet once more gain the suprem icy. Mean wl•ile the movement has commenced to show it self among the native princes, to extend rapidly among their contingent forces, and an outbreak is hourly expected at Madras according to the latest dates. The troops of the Rajah of Gwalior are in open revolt, and, though the Rajah protected the Europeans, he remained with his army. In the Nizam's dominions the contingent bad mu tined at Aurungabad ; an emeute occurred at Hyderabad; and the conduct of Scindia, the Mahratta chief, was watched with no little apprehen sion. The most serious mutiny of the many which have occurred is that of the Sikhs and Irregulars at Benares, and of the Bhurtpore levies and Malwa contingent. This is a subject for grave reflection, for these troops were in no way affected by the cartridge question. " The defection of the Gwali or contingent," writes a correspondent of the Daily News, "is an incalculable evil ; and authentic private advices intimate that in the Hyderabad country there are signs and portents sufficient, in conjunction with the increasing disaffection of the neighbouring—lately annexed—State of Nagpore, to create the most lively alarm. The Regular Madras Cavalry belonging to the Secunderabad force are strongly suspected of being in league with their co-religionists in the city of Hyderabad, who are openly proclaiming a holy war and a crown of mar tvrdorn to all who fall in assisting to extirpate the English infidels root and branch. The Resident himself, on parade, informed the said 7th Light Cavalry of the rumours concerning their fidelity, judiciously or otherwise. He is also reported to have had two very stormy interviews with the pres,,nt Nizam on the subject of the instant restoration to his Highness of the districts ceded t., Lord Dal housie in 1853. The Nizam is urged, without ceasing, to take advantage of our present difficulties by the principal Begum (or lady) of the palace, who also exercised a malign influence to our prejudice over his father. I believe that the Prime Minister, Salah Jung, a young man of twenty-four years of age, has sense enough to side with us as long as pos sible ; but he is a Sheeah, and the Nizam and the most powerful nobles of his court Sunies. This difference of religion, so long as we remained lords paramount, is not of much consequence ; but it signifies much in our present position. We have some European artillery in Secunderabad, and be tween 500 and 600 English infantry. In addition, including the contingent, and presupposing the fidelity of our native hoops in that dangeions quarter, we can muster about 9,000 men of all arms. Including 15,000 Arabs and some 10,000 Rohillas— i.e., Nizam could hurl against ua at least 50,000 men. And will he not, if he thinks he has a chance?" "The empire," remarks the Bombay Times in summing up its horrible list of mutinies and massacres, "is passing through a most terrible crisis in its history, and we are looking with much anxiety for reinforcemants . of European troops." The following account is the most complete we have seen of the operations of the trovs under the command of General Barnard : Camp, Ullehpore, June 6. Here we are, ten miles from Delhi, waiting for the siege train and the force from Meerut, both of which we expect today. We should have been at Delhi before now, as we did not intend waiting for the train, but the Meerut force, instead of joining us at Race. where there is bridge of boats over the Juninn, went to Ghazeeoodeen Nuggur, and dill a little fighting on their own account, and they have now to join us across a very heavy country, getting over the river as they best can. A great deal has been said about the delay that has occurred, but it was unavoidable. Troops cannot march in the hot weather without tents and carriage. Had 767 that been done the whole force would have been hors de combat, and now Sir H. Barnard has brought up all his men tresh, and, whst is more, there is no ai.:kness in camp. The European regiments from the hill 4 suffered from cholera coining down, and while at Utah illah and Kurnaid, but since leaving the latter place sickness has entirely disappeared, and the whole force is in excellent health, glorioas spirits, and mad to be at the mutineers, who will get no mercy. We are all so exasperate lat what we have heard and discovered within the last week that the men are half inclined to kill every native they come RernSS. Give full stretch to your imagination—think of every thing that is cruel, inhuman, infernal, and you cannot then conceive anything so diabolical as what these demons in human form have perpetrated. On the 2nd we marched from Paniput to ltaee. At this place some of the poor fugitives from Delhi met with the most barba• roue treatment. We burnt four villages on the road and hung seven Lumberdars. One of these wretches had part of a lady's dress for his kummerhund—he had seized a lady from Delhi, stripped her, violated, and then murdered her in the moat cruel manner, first cutting oil her breasts. He said be was sorry he had not an opportunity of doing more than he had done. Another lady who had hid herself under a bridge was treated in the same manner then hacked to pieces, ond her mangled remains thrown out on the plain. We found a pair of boots, evidently those of a girl six or seven years of age, with the feet in them. They had been cut off just above the ankle. We hung many other villains and burnt the villages as we came along. A man who witnessed the last massacre in Delhi, where he hail gone as a spy gives a horrid account of it, stating that little children were thrown up in the air and. caught on the points of bayonets, or cut at as they were falling with tulwsrs. The siege train came in this morning, making a double march, with six companies of the 2nd Fusiliers. The latter have made eight marches in five days, and are in high health and spirits. To-morrow morning we shall be joined by Brigadier Wilson's force. An order was sent just now to the European regiments that weakly and footsore men were to remain behind with the treasure, in case we have to move out to attack. In the 15th and Ist Fusiliers not one weakly man could be found, and hardly any in the 2nd Fusiliers, after their long marches. Camp, Ullehpore, June 7. We had no skirmishing yesterday, and this morning the Meerut troops arrived in admirable health and spirits— strength as follows : Four guns of Mojor Tombs's troop of Horse Artillery. Major Scott's Horse Field Battery. Two IN-pounders, under Lieutenant Light. Two squadrons of the Carahineers. Six companies'of the 60th Rifles. 400 of the Sirmore battalion (Ghoorkas). Half a ressalah of the 4th Irregular Horse. The 60th Rifles came in after their 164nile march, singing in chorus, and at a swinging pace. Colonel Hogge was severely wounded while in pursuit of the mutinous Sappers and Miners at Meerut, and had to be left there. _ Tomorrow we march to the cantonments at Delhi. We shall have to dislodge the mutineers from one or two posts, eu mule, but do not anticipate much difficulty. We shall drive in their advanced posts at daylight, and then move on to cantonments. I believe they have 18 guns outside, which ought to be ours before breakfast time. Delhi Cantonments, June 8. We marched at two a.m. from U!lehpor., knowing that there were 12 guns in a strong position on our road, about three miles off, and when we got near it round shot came flying into us. We got off the road, extended our men, and brought up our artillery to reply to them, which they did, but their guns were so well served that they did fearful work . I was near poor Colonel Chester when a round shot took him about his left hip, knocking over him and his horse, also knocking over another officer and two horses—poor Chester's blood came all over my horse, but round shot and grape were pouring into us, and we could not think of others. This was behind a hill. At last there was nothing for it but to charge and /take the guns, which her Majesty's iktli did well, and we rushed on and attacked them on all sides. Then was experienced a hail of musketry ringing past our heads. However at last the position and guns were our own, and the enemy in flight, and we then pushed on to Delhi, and had to attack and take more guns, and again I had many escapes ; however, it was daylight, and we did things better and here we are. We took the heights and guns on them, and now are encamped on the old Delhi parade ground, but though ono o'clock no tents up yet. We sre occupying any buildings we can find. I am with the general and staff in an old hospital, till tents come up. The mutineers, in their first position, had the commander in chief's headquarter tents, which they had got out of the magazine. I nnes of the 60th is with us, and all right—also Becher, young Briggs, Nor- man, and the two Greatheds. Ido not know yet. who are killed and wounded. They are blazing big guns from the city now, but cannot reach us. General Barnard, in his despatch of the Bth of June, gives the following account of this first engage ment with the mutineers : Delhi Cantonments, June 8. Sir,—The forces under my command marched from Allipoor at one a.m. this morning, and on reaching Baidlee Ser iee found the enemy strongly posted in au intrenchcd position, which I have the satisfaction to inform you we carried after an engagement of about three•yuarters of an hour, and proceeded to take up our present position, which we found to be over disputed ground the whole way, and finally a well•defended line of defence from the signal THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON OATHS. Mr. NEWDEGATE then rose to move the resolution of which he had given notice, that the appointment of the select committee to consider the oaths taken by members be discharged. Upon which an hon. member moved that the house be counted, and there being only nineteen members present the house adjourned shortly after three o'clock. THE COUNCIL ON MIIITARY EDUCATION issued their first report on Tuesday. The council recommend the holding of quarterly examinations in London (to begin in January next), under their own direction, by examiners to be annually chosen by the Commander in-Chief and the Secretary for War. The age of candidates for direct appointments is to be from the Ist of January, 1858, not under seventeen years, anti after January, 1859, not under eighteen, the latest limit being twenty-one years. The candidates, after producing medical and religious certificates, &c., will be examined in classics, mathetnatics, English, French, other modern tongues, history and geogra phy, geology and mineralogy, chymistry, heat, elec tricity, and drawing. Certain marks will be allotted, the minimum of the "indispensable" ones being 1,800 out of 2,400, of which 1,200 are allotted to mathematics, and 400 oach to English, French, and history ; of the other (voluntary) subjects a sufficient number of marks must be attained to raise the total number necessary for qualification to 1,000. No marks in the volitntfay subjects will count unless one fifth of the whole number allotted be attained. No 'andidates will be allowed more than two trials, but the second " go" may take place at any interval from the first within the limit of age. THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY for the year 1855 50, with an esti mate of the same for the succeeding year, is returned RS follows :—The total revenue receipts of all the presidencies of India for the year amounted to 28,891,241., and the total charge and expenditure in India to 26,599,4611., which added to 3,261,6021., disbursed in India, brings the total expenditure of the year to 29,801,000/., thereby showing an excess of expenditure over• income of 972,7911. In the two previous years the deficiency was respectively 1,7n7,304/. and 2,044,1101. The income for the year 1856 57 is estimated at 29,344,9671., and the ex penditure at 31,326,0221., showing a deficiency of 1,981,002/.