The Sun. — London, England, 1857-12-08 00:00:00

L AT - N I ilk. S NEWS T IMPORTANT FROM INDIA. __...~,,.e -----_ The following telegram was rdceived at the Foreign office at 6.35 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 18 57, dated' Cagliari, from Lord Lyons -- MALTA, DEC. 4, 2 P. m. Political intelligence received at Suez per Oriental on November 24. Two convoys of provisions arrived safely at Luck 4°w) where Havelock was still surrounded by large 'lumbers of the, enemy, who were said to have 300 Dins. There had been some severe fighting, and General Outram was reported to have been wounded. Sir Colin Campbell and staff left Namwoor (?) for Cawnpore on the 28th of October, to which Place the troops were being moved up as quickly as possible, and will proceed to the relief of Luoknow when in sufficient strength. The following steamers arrived in Calcutta with troops since ,the departure of the last mail : SYdney, Australian, passed Lady Jocelyn, Nov. 1 0, and Candia near Sand Heads. There were Madras steam-ships "Victoria and Carthage ; at Galle, Robert Lowe and Cleopatra, and ships, merchantmen. The Emeu left Aden on the 20th for Bombay ; Calcutta, Nov. 1; Madras, Nov. 6 ; Galle, Nov. 20. (signed) Cagliari, 4 8 p.m. LYONS (Admiral). (Signed) Consul CRAIG. THE CRISIS AT HAMBURG. HAMBURG, MONDAY. The Senate and. the burgesses have come to an Understanding. They have agreed to abandon the issue of a paper Money and forced circulation. A sum of 15,000,000 mares banco (about 28 3 0 00,000 fr.), will be granted to the ►►ank of dis count ; and the Treasury is this day to deposit at the bank an amount of 5,000,000 in shares of the railways from Berlin to Hamburg, and from Ham burg to Bergdorff, both being the property of the State. The Bank will.open with the Treasury an account current for these shares, and will this day begin to grant discounts to the extent of 5,000,000 mares banco (equivalent to 9,000,000 francs). The State is, moreover, in negotiation abroad for 10,000,000 mares banco, in silver, to be also Paid over to the Bank in the course of this week, and made applicable to the purposes of discount. RUSSIAN FRONTIER IN ASIA. PARIS, TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 8.30 A. M. The Moniteur announces that the Commission of it ‘ l4° I. ' O W Powers signed, on the sth inst., at Con- It antinople, the final act of the rectification of the Ittlaaian frontier in Asia. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY EVENING. The screw transport Gironde, 'which has been Ordered to T ou l on to be fitted out for a long voy- No, is to take on board 500 artillerymen and ma 11.11es, convey them to China, and place them at the tl_ Isposal of Admiral Rigault de Genouilly, at pre mint commanding the French squadron off Canton. In the money market to-day prices have been = m aintained with a certain steadiness, but there has been no buoyancy in the market, as it was not sup- Posed that the Bank of England would follow the e xample of the Bank of France and reduce the rate of discount b‘f,pre neit week. Itt the Paris corn market during the past week ruoes were firm, without any great amount of siness being transacted. The four marks were at first sold at the preceding price of 53fr. the sack of kilogrames, but they afterwards could fetch only 52fr. 50c. Inferior qualities varied from 51fr. to 46fr. Wheat was scarcely asked for, and the quotations may be set down as unvaried. From the country markets the accounts speak in general of lower prices. Bc ' u lksP, nee. 'T.—The following were the last quotations •• • • . , Cub. tr. End of Month. I per Cent. t _Per Cents , 65 85 66 15 Beak Shares 3125 Credit Pone:6r 535 -- edit Mobilier 705 -- Roman i Do. Account. ;, 7OO Austrian Do. 4A . . - ri rnontese(s) 3l 87, 1 .- - Home Debt . :-. RAILWA". - Yl3--1011 CASH. tr. c. IT C. ° J. 181 4111 Northern 4 New Ditto... ..... 730 Strasburg tlonsand Med . 8521 Grand Central f low Ditto._ men ev , 620 Austrian Com. ...... 665 PRUSSIA. letter from Berlin of the 4th says :—" We are itrilied that the Senate of Hamburg has prayed e Prussian Government to assist that city in the 4nericial calamity which has befallen it. M. Volk -33 4 r, general of the Bank of Prussia, goes to dayl to Hamburg, and it is said that his journey ss its refere nce t o a loan in contemplation there. f 44 news from that place is received here with f " wish disquietude." AUSTRIA. letter from Vienna of the 3d in the Lloyd's of ea th says :—" It has been alleged that it was the representative of Turkey, Fuad Effendi, who pre vented the three Principalities of Moldavia, Wal lachia, and Servia from signing the treaty relative to the navigation of the Danube. We believe, how ever, that it was Austria in particular which op- Posed the claim of,the Principalities, and that it Was she, in conjunction, it is true, with the Turkish representative, who prevented them from signing. anatria took her stand on the principle that the Power of signing treaties only belongs to sovereign States, and she was anxious to prevent the esta blishment of a.precedent in favour of the Princi . .pclities, which might have serious consequences." PORTUGAL. A Lisbon letter relates the following anecdote exemplificative of the devotedness of the young Xing of Portugal in one of his visits to the military hospital :—" Approaching a bed on which was 'Ting the trumpeter of a cavalry regiment, he Steeped down, and throwing his arms round the alluost inanimate body of the patient, cried Out with a firm but kindly voice : " Cheer „ s li p) friend, cheer up ! You are not going die yet. Take courage I I am sure I shall Z u O of these days hear the sound of your is !°, l flpet iinder the windows of my palace !' The .. 1(34 man seemed to rouse up at the sound of the y o ung Ring's voice, his eyes opened, and a faint ha l°, l 4 rase to hischeek. He pressed his sovereign's 11 , 4 ia to'ken of gratitude, and from that moment vi'ved., to existence, and he is now not only out of danger, but recovering rapidly." We believe we oat state-that the Emperor of the French has been li v, Y . "r-U9 l c by the - courage and devotedness disp la y ed " the King of Portugal during the whole of the "visitation of the llow fever that his Majes t y has Ch arged Count Walewaki, Minister of Foreign .&ffairs, .to transmit to the King, through Baron de Paiva, Portuguese Minister, the expression of his sincere admiration. COMMERCIAL FAILURES. The failure was announced yesterday of Messrs. Albert W. Pelly and Co., a highly respectable house engaged in the trade with the North of Europe.- The stoppage is oc casioned by their having received remittances on ' Mrs sezells and Neck, who stopped on Saturday. It is t liabilities will reach about 170,000 i.ought that the Messrs. Krell and Cohn, merchants of Bread street, have also been compelled to suspend pay ment, but the liabilities in th i s case are believedtobe limited..._ At a meeting hold yesterday, of the creditors of IVIr. W. Caudery, who suspended payment some weeks ago, the statement of Messrs. Turquand showed a surplus. The estate will, it is said, yield Considerably more than 20s. in the pound, The total liabilities are under 30,0001. THE ADJOURNMENT OF PARLIAALENT. We understand that if the debate on the Bank Charter Com m ittee is not adjourned, there will be nothing to prevent Parliament from rising for the holidays on Monday next. It is believed to be the intention of her Majesty's kiovernment not to entertain any business beyond that at present before the house. 1 13 any case the two houses will adjourn in the beginnin g of next week till the period at which arhament usually assembles.—Morning Post. The King of Hanover arrived in Berlin on the 3d from Neu Strelitz, and left shortly after for his own capital. • AMERICA. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL,' TUESDAY MORNING The steamship City of Washington has arrived from New Yolk with one clay's later intelligence, but does not Lring any specie. A sudden change in the weather had entirely closed all the canals. Additional disasters on the great lakes are re ported. The Boston Transcript announces the suspension of Messrs. Trull and Brothers, liquor dealers, and largely engaged in the Mediterranean and Smyrna trade. The suspension was only expected to be temporary. The New York Courier and Enquirer reports that the telegraphic intelligence of the suspension of the Bank Act had given relief to many firms there whose correspondents here were under extra ordinary liabilities on American account. On the whole the stock market has been favourably af fected, and prices were fully sustained. United States Six per Cents. of 1868 had advanced 1; Missouri Sixes, 1i ; Virginia, 2 ; Reading Rail road Shares, /, Illinois Central Shares, 4 ; bonds, 1. The rates of domestic exchange were daily becom ing more favourable, with an obvious determination to prepare for a resumption of specie payments early in the spring. The State Banks of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio do not intend to suspend ; all in New Orleans and some in Missouri preparing specie. The 25th being Evacuation-day, business was restricted in the. New York markets. Cotton, on the receipt of the Vanderbilt's advices, had been held for an advance of /c., but at the close only , I ,c. had been established in a small way. Flour, under the same influence, and the certainty of the closing of the Erie Canal, had advanced 5c., but the business was not large, holders asking higher terms. Wheat had fully recovered its tone. Corn firm and buoyant. Provisions unaffected ant dull. In sugar nothing doing. No engagements in freights to London or Liverpool. The downward tendency in trade generally had been arrested. Sterling exchange was quoted at 1084 to 1091 for bankers' bills. • The city of Washington passed the'Royal mail steamship Africa hence, going into New York. The steamship Vanderbilt, from Havre and Southampton, had arrived at New York. IMP nR,IAL PAR LIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS:--(YEATEP.D i.) Tile Logo CHANCELLOR too:; his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. Viscount DUNGANNON presented a petition from a rural deanery in Buckingham, in favour of an amend ment of the Divorce Act. The noble lord also gave notice that on Thursday he should move for a copy of any correspondence relative to the transmission of troops to India. Lord CAMPBELL moved for a return of the war• rants, granted under the act ofParliament of last session, for the prevention of the sale of obscene publications, and also of the steps that had been taken under the said act.—The returns were ordered. CHURCH RATES. The Earl of MALIVIESBURY asked whether it was the intention of the G-overnmerft to bring forward, during the ensuing - session, any measure respecting church rates ? Earl GRANVILLE said it would entirely depend upon circumstances whether any such measure would be introduced. HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS. The Earl ST. GERMANS brought up her Majesty's answer to the address of their lordships, in answer to her Majesty's gracious speech on Thursday last. Her Majesty's answer was as follows :—" 1 thank you for your loyal and dutiful address. You may rely on my conlial co-operation in all measures calculated to pro mote the welfare and prosperity of my people in every part of my dominions." THE EARL OF DERBY'S ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT. Earl GRANVILLE said he would take that oppor tunity to afford some explanation as to contradictions which he had given to the noble earl opposite in the course of the debate on Thursday last. As to the alleged reprimand administered to Major-Gen. Hearsey by Lord Canning, the noble earl said that there had been such reprimand to Gen. Hearsey for having, after an attempt at mutiny in the 34th, then and there promoted a eepoy, but what had taken place left no impression on his (Earl Granville'e•) mind of a reprimand. Oa referring to the Blue Book he found this account of what had taken place. Their lordships were aware that certain orders and regulations existed—whether they were right or wrong had nothing to do with Lord Canning—as to the powers of officers commanding troops. The facts were that Major-Gen. Hearsey did not promote the sepoy on the spot, because he was not there. He found that Lord Canning, in reviewing that general order, pointed out to General Hearsay that he had no authority to make that promotion without the sanction of the Government ; but it was added that the man richly deserved promotion, and that the appointment should be made. - He (Lord Granville)' had said that he had no recollection of any reprimand having been given, and he could not conceive that the Governor-General having pointed Ont the exist ing regulations amounted to a reprimand. The noble earl afterwards raid what he was about to state appeared so strange that he hardly expected it to be believed, but he asked her Majesty's Government to contradict it if they could, and it they did not contradict it he promised that he would produce irrefragable evidence of the truth of it. Some considerable time after these arrangements the President of the Board of Control somewhat sur prised the Peninsular and Oriental Company by a letter which he wrote to them to ask if a scheme might not be organised for sending troops to India by the com pany's ate timers. Now, this had been done for a consi derable time both under the authority of her Majesty's Government and that of the East India Company, and yet the President of the Board of Control wrote to ask if it was possible to organise a scheme for doing so. He asked how, after what he had stated, the country could trust to the vigour, the energy, the wisdom of those by whom the government of India was administered. He (Earl Granville) stated that he believed that statement to be without foundation, and he had since made inquiries, and he could now state that his rigt.t hon. friend, Mr. V. Smith, had never sent any letter to the Peninsular and Oriental Company ; the Company had never received such a letter, and did not reply to it, as the noble lord had misstated, and that no reply had been received by the right hon. gentleman. The Earl of DERBY—His noble friend had been good enough to give him notice, which he had received about an hour ago, of his intention to give some explanation of contradictions which he had given to him on Thursday last, and he (the Earl of Derby) bad endeavoured to recollect what those contradictions were, but all he could fix on were two—one to which his noble friend had just referred ; the other was not in reference to the Presi dent of the Board of Control, but his statement that for a considerable time no step was taken by the Govern ment of India to disabuse the minds of the sepoys as to the intention of the Government to interfere with their religion. He had assumed that those were the two points upon which there was to be explanation of contradictions. To the two points which had been re ferred to by his noble friend he would take the liberty to add a third ; for on that point also he had been con tradicted. With regard to the reprimand of Major- General Hearsey, all he could say was this—that Major-General Hearsey, having taken upon himself to promote this sepoy, bad that promotion been disapproved of by the Government I His noble friend bad charged him with having taken these facts, not from the blue book, but from a certain " red pamphlet." He admitted that be had read that pamphlet, and he strongly urged their lordships to read it also, for a more able summary of affairs in India he had seldom seen. But he had not Made a single statement that he had read there without verifying it by official documents. The noble earl was not right in supposing that he had got his facts from that pamphlet ; but what he had said was this, that Major- General Hearsey had received a reprimand from Lord Canning, and he still said that he had. He had done too much, he was afraid, for he had conceded that the order contained a statement of approval of what Major. General Hearsay bad done, for he now found that it did not. His noble friend would find in the minutes that it was stated, as to the sepoy who so gallantly defended his officer against the murderous attack of the mutineer, that it was not in the power of a major-general in the army to make this promotion, which could proceed only from the Governor-General of India, and therefore should not have appeared in the divisional order without the sanction of the Government. Now when a governor general, without a single comment, announced that a major-general ought not to have done that which he had done— (hear, hear)—he said it was, to his mind, ex tremely like a reprimand ; it might not be so to the minds of her Majesty's Government, but it was so to those of other people. It went on to say, that " un doubtedly that promotion which has been announced is richly deserved, and may be properly confirmed." The confirmation was accompanied by a reprimand to the major-general for doing it. The next statement made was as to the inserting two officers' names in the order, because, it was said, it should not be for a moment sup. posed that any other officer would not have acted in the same way, and because it was thought that it was very inexpedient that this matter should be made the subject of more conversation than was necessary. He thought it should be observed that the divisional order had net characterised the mutiny as one of religious frenzy, and he must express his astonishment that the Government still persisted in saying that it was not a reprimand. (Hear, bear.) The second point on which the noble earl had offered contradiction was that he (the Earl of Derby) had said, that for a considerable period of time no step had been taken to disabuse the minds of the sepoys with regard to the intention of the Government to interfere with their religion. What said his noble friend 1 Why, that within one month afterwards the greased cartridges were withdrawn. He knew that, but that was no authority for saying that it was the deter mination of Ihe Government to abstain from every step that looked like interference with religion. On the 9th of June, his noble friend (Lord Ellenborough) had asked the government whether it was not the intention of the government of India to issue such a proclamation to quiet the public mind I That was on the 9th of June, and he was told that it was not the intention of the government to issue such an order, that it was wholly unnecessary, and that the government entirely approved of Lord Can ning not issuing such an order. What happened at the very time that the noble earl was denying this I Why the Governor-General bad actually issued a proclama tion which the government here were lauding him for not issuing ; but the fact was that he had issued it three months after he ought to have issued it. What he corn• plained of was delay. As to the third point, he should be extremely sorry to misrepresent or even exaggerate the mistakes of the right hon. gentleman the President of the Board of Control, and he had not been surprised at being met with an expression of incredulity, because when the statement was first made to himself, he said "that is impossible." (Rear.) All he could now say was, that he was never mole astonished than by the con tradiction which he had that :night received, because the gentleman who had given him the statement, except that he had used the words "very considerable time, " and he believed the period was three or four days—the gentleman who had given him the statement—and he was sure he would not mislead him—and obtained it from the managing director of the Peninsular and Orien tal Company—a member of parliament, not in England now, to whom the letter was addressed, and who had informed his informant that it had been sent. The day that parliament met he again saw his informant, who said he was sure be was correct. He said that the man aging director was not now in England, but he would see the other managing director, and he did see him, and informed him (the Earl of Derby) that what he had said was correct. He regretted if he had done injustice to the right hon. gentleman the President of the Board of Control ; and of course,,if his noble friend had had the opportunity of giving immediate contradiction, that con tradiction would have been made. He was extremely sorry if he had done injustice. He could not explain the contradiction that had been given to the circum stances that had been brought before him ; but so the matter must rest. He had no power to make any further inquiries, and he had stated the authority on which he had made his statement. Earl GRANVILLE—With regard to the explana tion which he had given as to what the noble lord called the reprimand to Maj or-General Hearsey, he had nothing further to add. With regard to the other point, as to the greased cartridges, he would read an official docu ment to them of what steps had been taken to disabuse the minds of the sepoys'. With regard to the Peninsular and Oriental Company and the explanation that had been given, ho would only say that be field in his band tne correspondence on the subject. It was stated that everybody connected with the Peninsular and Oriental Company had been asked, and nobody could imagine on what ground the statement bad been made. It was thought that it must be all a mistake ; that they had re ceived no letter, public or private, from the Board of Lows : Control ; they had first heard from the Court of Direc tors on the 7th Sept., and answered on the 19th Sept. A gentleman in the office of the Board of Control bad written to ask if he could be borne oat in the statement that there had boon no correwondence between their office and the company, and that tLo first communica tion was in Sept. from the East India Company. The answer was that the company had received no direct correspondence from the Board of Control, and that the first communication as to the conveyance of troops over land was on the 9th Sept., and was from the East India Company. He thought that every caution ought to be exercised where public men were attacked in this way. The noble lord would not deny ttat there was great similarity between the topics set up by the noble earl in this house and those set up by another gentleman re presenting the noble earl in the other house. He con sidered that in these attacks on the President of the Board of Control in ~ne house, and on the President of the Board of Trade in the other house, it would have been better that the noble earl should have made the attack on the President of the Board of Trade in this house, and that the attack on Mr. V. Smith should have been made by the representative of the noble earl in the other house, where he could have defended him self. The Earl of DERBY agreed with the noble earl as to the great caution which should be exercise 1, when charges were brought forward against public men ; but he thought that he could not have better authority than that which he had stated to the noble earl. With regard to the similarity of argument which it was said existed between him and his right hon. friend in the other house, there was nothing extraordinary in that, for it had gene rally been his practice to communicate with his colleagues in the other house. He did not know why the noble earl complained of it. He had not made any attack on the noble lord the President of the Board of Trade when he alluded to India, and he was really not aware why he should, but if it was wished he should make an attack on him. (Laughter.) Earl GRANVILLE—His right hon. friends bad not been attacked to their faces, and he did not like that they should be attacked behind their backs. The Earl of HARD WICKE said that a gentleman bad related to him the anecdote as to Mr. V. Smith. He afterwards visited the Earl of Ellenborough, who said, "It can't be true." I don't believe it," though it had been stated upon authority which he (Earl of Hard wicke) could not for a moment doubt. The Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH explained that the Board of Control would correspond only with the Board of Directors, and not direct with the Peninsular and Oriental Company. Any letter, sent to the company would be a private letter. . The Duke of ARGYLL—The statement of the noble earl (Earl of Darby) was that it was a letter from Mr. V. Smith; but, however, the contradiction referred to all letters, public and private. He would read a letter which had been put into his hanks, from (as -was under stood), Mr. Willcox, who was, or had been, a director of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, and who would be sure to know if anything of the kind had taken place. He said he had read the report of the speech of the Earl of Derby with great surprise, and after going into the matter in detail, further said that the statement was utterly incorrect, and that nothing whatever bad occur. red in connection with the Peninsular and Oriental Company which could possibly give rise to such a mis conception on the subject. The fact was, that no offer for the conveyance of troops, via Egypt, had been made to them, as stated, and it would have been absurd to attempt so to convey troops during the monsoon months especially as they must have been conveyed as deck pas sengers. It was not until Sept. that, in consequence of a verbal communication, a detachment of 220 or 240 men had been sent across the isthmus. If it had been proposed to convey troops by that route in August, the Govern , ment would have been perfectly justified in refusing to assent to such a proposition. That statement he thought was as perfect as it could be made. The Earl of DERBY—That statement was in direct contradiction to the published report of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, which had been printed a few days ago, and which he had in his hands now. The Duke of ARGYLL—In the City article of the Times of this morning there was a statement as to the conveyance of troops by the Peninsular and Oriental Co , but that statement referred to a later date, about Nov. 20, he thought. The Earl of MA.LMESBURY—It was stated in the printed report that on Oct. 1 the first batch had sailed, the number being 200 men. The Earl of DERBY —And that the offer to convey troops would have been accepted by the East India Company, but it was refused by the Government. The matter then dropped. PROVISION FOR GENERAL HAVELOCK. Earl GRANVILLE announced a message from the Crown, which was read by the Lord Chancellor as fol- - • " Victoria Regina—Her Majesty being desirous of con ferring a signal mark of her favour and approbation on Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, Bart., K.C.8., for the eminent and distinguished services rendered by him in command of a body of British and native troops in India, and partioularlarly for the gallant and successful operations undertaken for the relief of the garrison of Lucknow, re commends to the House of Lords to concur in enabling her Majesty to make provision for securing to Major-General Sir Henry Havelock a provision of 1,0001. per annum far the term of his natural life." (Cheers.) On the motion of Earl GRANVILLB it was resolved that this message should be taken into consideration this day (Tuesday). RELIGIOUS WORSHIP ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, noticing their lord- ships' preoccupation with the affairs of India, said he thought he should exercise a proper discretion in post poning his promised statement on this subject until this day (Tuesday). INDIA. , THE ARMS AND PRESS ACTS. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH rose pursuant to notice and said—The first motion I have to submit is that there be laid upon the table of this house the Arms Act which has been recently passed by the Legislative Council of India. I believe the circumstances under which that Act was passed are these :—There had been a most unusual importation of arms into Calcutta, and it eYipeared that the purchase of those arms had been to a great extent made by natives. This naturally very much alarmed the Europeans, inasmuch as they had be fore them the bad use which had been made of arms by natives in all parts of the country, as there was reason to suppose that there existed a combination to massacre all the Europeans in Calcutta, and as moreover there were present in that place 1,000 or 1,500 persons, natives of Oude, who were servants of the King of Oude. Under these circumstances it was very naturally sug gested to the Government that it would be desirable to disarm the natives in Calcutta for e security of the Europeans, who are few in number, an thd had but a small m ilitary force for their protection. The Government declined, but said they would produce an Arms Act, and that is the act which I wish to see and to have placed before you. The Act, as I understand, adhering to a principle very recently attempted to be introduced into the legislation of India, places the Europeans and the natives—the persons who abuse arms for the purpose of destroying us, and the Europeans who wish to have arms for their protection —on exactly the same footing ; and it went to this extent, that Europeans were not to be possessed of arms unless by the consent of a magistrate. Now, in the Mofussil, that is in the provinces, the magis trates being to a great extent natives, the Europeans are therefore compelled by th e Act to go to persons of thi s description, many of wh om are suspected of being trai tore, and many of whom have really proved themselves to be traitors, for permission to retain the arms necessary for their protection. Now, my lords, my apprehension is (the noble lord on the woolsack will correct me if I am wrong) that, according to the Bill of Rights, we English, being Protestant., are permitted to have arms for our own defence. Why ? Because at that time the Roman Catholics were suspected of traitorous designs, and there was a reason why Protestants should for their own safety bear arms. Now, is the re not a reason for confiding to Europeans in India a s i m il ar pr ivilege, and for excluding under present circumstances the native population ? Yet at this moment the Government of India consider it ex pedient, in accordance with what they call a principle, to place both these classes of persons on exactly the same footing, and to subject Europeans to the disadvantage of not being allowed to possess arms unless by theconsent of a native magistrate, if they should happen to live in the interior of the country. My lords, that resolution of the . Legislative Council appears to me to rest upon a total mis apprehension not only of our position at the present mo ment, but of the position which for years the Europeans necessarily must bo'd with respect to the natives of India. Our pos tion in India is like that of the Normans in Saxon England. We must be armed, or it is impossible for us to-protect ourselves. Instead of bringing in a measure subjecting both English and natives to a law of this des scriplion, the law of India ought to be, that every Englishman should be possessed of arms under a penalty for neglect of the ordinance ; and, if a resident in India, he should even be compelled to enrol himself in some corps for occasional discipline and drill. It is impossible for as to preserve in security the lives and property of Europeans in India unless we, for a time at l eas t, assume the appearance of an armed militia. My lords, it is not surprising that this fatuity on the part of the Government , actin g upon a principle which never gthis our country men who are now f i g h t i ng f or can be adopted in Ind i a (least of all at the present time), and r le dsulibvjedso indignity, p ro d uce d th roug h ou t the w h European cttin population a very strong feeling of dis satisfaction and disgust la Of course there can be no objection to the production of this Act. But then there is another Act, of which we have a copy, which was laid upon the table of the house at a very late period of the last session — l believe af ter I had discontinued attend ance here—l mean the Act relating to the Indian press. We had laid before us at the same time the speech of the Governor-General in proposing that Act, and also some minutes of the Legislative Council in order to explain the circumstances under which it was passed. Before I say a word regarding this act for the seppres goo (for practically it is a suppression) of the English press in India, I wish your lordships distinctly to under stand the difference which exists between the press in India and the press at home. In this country the press is emphatically the press of the people of Eng land. It advocates their interests ; it is supported by them. Different opinions may b expressed by the e ditors of different newspapers ; but they endeavour to impress upon t heir rea ders that their object is the genera l interest of the peopl e , an d if th e y did not it would be impossible for them to exist. A newspaper must pay, and it cannot pay unless it relies for support upon the masses by whom it is to be purchased and read. But the press of India i.s in a totally different position. LITERATURE. Post-office London Directory for 1858. Kelly and CO. There are few books of more general utility and constant reference than this compendious volume, but like most other advantages of civilisation we scarcely appreciate them. The vast labour of its compilation, the wonderful correctness of its infor mation, the method and precision with which professions, trades, &c., are classified and arranged, render the " London Post-office Directory" a work of-great intrinsic value, while its large circulation and the constant demand for the book tesiify to its admirable adaptation to the wants of commercial life. Messrs. Kelly, however, do not remain con tented with the degree of excellence it has already attained. Each year they endeavour to remedy defects and to introduce improvements. Those in the present number are especially deserving of notice. We are told in the preface that the only complaint of the " London Directory" which has been received for many years has been of its great and increasing size. They have, t h erefore, employed smaller type in the minor portions of the work, have increased the number of lines in every page, and are thus enabled to produce a smaller volume than its predecessors, while the clearness of the type employed prevents any inconvenience. By these judicious means they feel confident that a considerable time must elapse before even the rapidly extending area of the modern Babylon will require any consi derable increase in the size of the volume. The. e alterations have involved an increased outlay, but no doubt the approbation of the public will afford them ample 'remuneration. Another important al eration is the addition of the initials of the new postal districts to every address throughout the work. The advantage of this improvement will be readily appreciated. The corrections and alterations are, as usual, brought down to the latest possible period ; for instance, the name of Earl Fitzhardinge is removed from the official index, the street direc tory, and the court and parliamentary directories. The contents, as usual, have increased notwithstand ing the diminution in size. The Court Directory for 1857 contained 45,141 lines, and the Commercial 107,857, while the Court Directory for the present year contains 46,665 lines, and the Commercial 108,845. The map of London and its environs shoot ripnrly Act useful as the directory itself, is this year annexed to the volume. It extends from Leytonstone to_ Lewisham, from Cricklewood to Roehampton, including in its circuit Rotherhithe and Greenwich, Clapham Common and Highgate. It will bo seen, therefore, that every facility for topographical information is afforded by the enter prising publishers who thus maintain the high cha racter their previous efforts had attained for them. The London Directory of Messrs. Kelly will soon cease to be regarded as a superfluity ; it must be ranked among the necessities of men of business. BAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. LONDON. AND SOUTH-WESTERN. Thefollowing report is to be submitted to the meeting of shareholders on Thursday next : The directors have called the shareholders together on the present occasion, for the purpose of explaining the objects for which it appears to them necessary that the company should apply for the sanction of Parliament. These objects are not such as will involve any considerable expenditure. The shareholders are aware that the company, in the last session of Parliament, opposed the project for the con struction of a line of railway from Wimbledon to Epsom, and that ultimately, when further opposition would have evidently proved futile, the board concluded arrangements with the new company for working its traffic, and securing such a position as to pre vent it becoming hostile to South-Western inte rests. The transaction was reported to the shareholders at the last half-yearly meeting, and resolutions wore then passed, sanctioning the soaps which the directors had taken, and authorising a subscription not exceeding £lo,osl towards the capital, and for making such other arrange ments of lease and working as the directors might deem most conducive to the interest of this company. Two of the directors of this company have since been elected to the board of the Wimbledon and Epsom Company. At the time when the agreement between the two companies was concluded, the standing orders of Parliament would not admit that clauses giving parliamentary sanction to the arrangements should be inserted in their bill. It has, therefore, become necessary that such authority should be obtained as now proposed. Another necessary object is the acquisition of powers to conclude the arrangements of lease made with the Salis bury and Yeovil Railway Company, in accordance with the resolution of the proprietors in 1856. The standing orders of Parliament have not admitted of an earlier application for the concession of these powers, but whilst both com panieS are morally bound to obtain and act upon them, the uon-completion of the lease has already occasioned incon venience to this company. The directors, therefore, re commend that the obtaining of these necessary powers be uo longer delayed. The next objects are those in connection with the Yeovil and Exeter extension line, now in course of construction, via., the 4cquiring compulsory powers over some additional land at Exeter ; the permission to alter the sanctioned levels of the line at certain points, and to build certain bridges and archways of leas than the present statutory width ; and the construction of a short branch to Topsham. All these, except the last, are mere matters of detail, through which a saving in the expense of construction and future maintenance of the extension line will be effected. The proposed branch to Topsham is a work which the directors recommend, as one which will materially aid the traffic on the Exeter extension line. Topsham is on the deep water of the Exe, and is the best Port for a considerable part of the country which is traversed by the Yeovil and Exeter Extension Line. The expense of constructing the proposed branch will not exceed 50,0001. It will not be necessary to raise the capital at present, but it is desirable that the object be postponed, because at Topsham the proposed branch may now be advantageously connected with an exten -1 sion lino to Exmouth, about to be constructed by the Exeter and Exmouth Railway Company—a local company proposing to work in harmony with this company. The railway to Exmouth has already received the sanc tion of Parliament. It was originally designed for con nection, on the western side of the Exe, with the broad gauge system, but its proprietors being satisfied, on Par liament granting the extension line from Yeovil to Exeter that a connection with the gonth- Western system would presentrlimll a e n a t e s (siwohni ) (which for powers be -a more beneficial cours e , have determined on an appli cationdur during t t o h Pa a taking so as to c onnec t i t exclusivelyca as a e l t wither mastt lioi be en madender the South- Western system. The directors, therefore, recommend that the intended ID bill should Compris e powers for constracting this branch, from a point in the main line from Yeovil to Exeter to , Topsham terminating on th e s h ore of t h e E xe th ere, an d joining near Topsham with the line to .Exmouth ;and also provisions for authorising ar rangements with the latter working and other like undertaking. Another object of th e bill is to junction between the main line at authorise an improved. Northam, South ampton, and the Southampton and.l o near rchester line. By this means a considerable savinc , in time can be effected in the working of any through Wey mouth. trains t o Dorchester and Wey- It is intended also to insert in the bill powers f pur chase, by compulsion or agreement, of several small or of land adjoining the line at various points reltham, ou the Windsor line • Guildford and Farnham line ; at parcels at Tonghaut, viz., tt ilasingstoke, on the main line j and at Tuttou, on the Southampton an 1 Dorchestel lino. All these parcels of laud are for the purpose of im proved station acc,reniodation, and they less one purchased on _ B or pel the sale of thew. Y d will doubtl e ss L e rous terms, if the company can com - L. CROMBIE, Secretary. WaterkorigiStation, dge 'Dec, 2, 18D7. __. In the first place there are two kinds of journal—native Ito find this solid standing ground, it feats he has foun d might be produced among the sepons in one own par. an d English. The English pres; is not. the press of the 'in the native press a stepping-stone from which to direct It is worthy of remark that the n Boniearl t rea t e d p eo pl e o f India. It is the press of the stranger, the his weapons against the press bath in India and in this the anti relative ti the press as it were'eL. , permanent -°- p r o. press of the Governmentethe press o f t he governing class, 1, country. Suppose that two persons, one a na t i ve, and vision ado p ted for ever in India, w hereas , in the lette r It a d v oc a tes their interests. Ido not say that it may not 1 the other an Englishman, were taken before a megistrate already presented to Parliament and by the ac t it se lf, it occasionally advocate also the general interest of the !in India, charge:', with offences. Suppose the proof against is clearly confined to one year, and is intended merely country ; but that is not the particular object of the ! the native wasdecisive, while thatagainstthe Englishman to apply to the extraordinary and exceptional c i ecne n. E ng li s h press; it is to represent the interests of those was extremely slight, and that the judgeshould say to the stances in which India is now placed. I may st a t e that by w h o m it is especially supported—the governing class, native, "Pandy"—that is what we call the natives new--. the English press in Indic, by an order of the noble ear l and these interests the English journals have to support " You are convicted upon the clearest evidence l your himself, is now prevented from obtaining that official it. in divest c ontradiction to the general interests of the offence is of the deepest die; I cannot say the name of f or mation which it formerly used to possess. Since th e people of India. The native press, on the other hand— the Englishman, whose offence is very light, but I have promulgation of that order everybody connected with the erroneously as we think, traitorously as it has lately no solid standing ground on which a line may be drawn ; Government of India has refrained from writing in the seemed—take up what it conceives to be the cause of the I cannot snake any distinction between you, and there- press or giving it intelligence, and hence the absence of population generally, and is opposed to the personal in- fore you must both be subject to the same punishment." any security except the loyalty and judgment of he ma• terest of the governing classes. Being published in the Can you call that justice ? Do you think that the Euro- nagers for the wise and sober exorcise of its power. English language the English press is perfectly innocu- peens with all their pride from the recollection of the The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH — The noble earl has one as regards the people of India until the articles it liberties they enjoyed in their own country would suffer misapprehended the object and effect of my order. What contains are translated. Meanwhile it has no more that I But observe that while this Act does that which is I did may be explained in few words. I found gentlemen influence on the people of India than the English jour- as sunnecesary, while it aims at the freedom of the Eng ish in India who thought that public documents which came nals would have upon the people of tbis country if they press well as that of the press of India, it fails alto- into their hands as servants of the Government were were published in Greek or Latin. On the other hand, gether in doing that which is necessary. There is not in th e i rs to di spose of or ma ke public for their own pure • the native press has no influence whatever upon us, for the conditions one word with respect to the dissemina- poses whenever they pleased. I saw such infinite dangers by us it is not read. However, there can be no doubt tion of information with respect to the movements of to the Government in the prevalence of that custom—a that, although upon the people of India the English troops. At a moment like this that of all things is the custom which it would be impossible to tolerate in any press can have effect whatever Until its articles are trans- most important to prevent. If you look back to the de- country, and which, if it existed here, the noble earl , e lated and have received a general circulation through sp atches of the Duke of Wellington you will see how himself would say ought to be put down—that in clear the native press, the native princes (and I think probably grievously he felt the injury on this point done by the and distinct terms I told the public functionaries what all the more considerable persons in India) obtain for freedom and indiscretion of the press. (Hear.) I know their duty was, and desired them to do it. (Hear.) themselves, as I have been informed, not through the its indiscretion in India. I know I was obliged almost Earl GRA.NVILLE—If the order was confined to European press of India, but directly from this country, to violate the law in order to preserve that absolute the prevention of the publication of official information translations of all the articles relating to the interests of secresy which I know to be necessary to the success of by subordinate servants of the Government, Ido not India which appear in the English newspapers. That military movements. Yet, in respect to this Act there think there could be any objection to it. source of information may and must remain open under is no condition to prevent the publicity of every mili ary The E•srl of ELLENBOROUGH—The order WI all circumstances, whether it produces benefit or mischief, movement in India. (Hear.) We still give through our rendered necessary by the conduct of one of the moat Now, there can be no doubt that the state of things in press full information to the enemy. There is not a single responsible persons in the country. India was serious—there had been mutinies—more mu- newspaper which does not contain the most minute de- Earl GRA.NVILLE—The effect of it has been this, tinies were expected—those mutinies had assumed the tails of ever y movement of the smallest detachment, to prevent any public official jour na l from forming any character of revolution—there was so much appearance which does not disclose all our difficulties by stating win- re connexion with the press. of danger—that Ido think the Government was perfectly we have guns and where we have not ; where we have Tee Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH—No official has a justified in considering whether it would not be necessary ammunition and where not ; and where troops are with- right to publish public documents. to restrain the indiscretion of the press in publishing that drawn to, some being described as sent to one place and Earl GRANVILLE —Exectly. But there is a diffe which might be injurious to the public service. My some to another. (Hear.) There is not one piece of in- reticle between that and an official making use of the press lords, I know there are several points on which that indis. formation which the enemy would give a mint to possess as a channel through which to communicate to th e public eretion—l will use no harsher term — has assumed much that our press is not now allowed to gave to that enemy such news, arguments, or explanations as it ought to prominence. I think, there, nothing could be more in India. (Hear.) Therefore, I say that it is not for a know. There would be nothing wrong, for example, in proper if the Government, entering into confidential com- public object that publicity is not desired by the a police magistrate, in the event of au accusation being munications with the editors of all those newspapers authorities in India, but it is for the purpose of brought against him, publishing a defence of his conduct published at Calcutta had distinctly stated their views protecting the Government from the free observations in the newspapers. As the head of the department of as to the danger of discussion upon particular topics in a of those who censure its conduct. I have already stated education, I would regard thepublication by the officiate particular sense, and had ascertained whether the ern- that the most serious injury which the press can commit of anything calculated to promote the cause f o r w hi c h tors were willing to come into some arrangement re- is still allowed to exist. Though there were 11 cases of the department was instituted as perfectly legitimate, specting the publication of the newspapers, distinctly warning given for the suspension of European news- while I would condemn as criminal and most dishonour. intimating that if those gentlemen were not disposed to p seers, the Government have not given warning in one able the disclosure of matters affecting the general go acquiesce in the suggestion the Government would take instance to any native newspaper, though it is perfectly vernment of the country. But, however, that may be, some course by way of legislation on the subject. No well known that the native newspapers are full of the I wish to direct the attention of your lordships to the such communication took place. The Governor-General most virulent invectives against Europeans. Still, that is fact that of late years the Euglish press in India, with went down on the 13th of June to the Legislative Conn. permitted. There is another thin g permitted, which I few exceptions, has been most violent in its attacks upon cif ;he made a speech ;he proposed a bill, and in the dee p l y re g ret, and view with great alarm. It is very na- the Government, holding it up to contempt in every course of the same day that bill became law. but by the tural, n o doubt, that officers and gentlemen in India, possible way. The noble earl says it writes for English.. strangest inconsistency its operation did not commence having heard and peen what they have of the horrors men alone. lam told tnat is not the fact—it is read till after the lapse of 14 days ;so that all the dangers committed in many eases against their friends and dearest extensively by natives acquainted with English ; its which were depicted as arising from the disaffection of relatives, should write with very great excitement, and ' articles are translated in the native jou r nals, a nd the . the native press and the indiscretion of the European should indicate a disposition which, if carried out, would evils it has produced in this way have been of a very press were allowed to increase and to produce the mis• be totally inconsistent with all possibility of a settled and grave character. For example, the Bombay papers chief which might be effected during 14 days of exasper. peaceful government of India. But not one of their letters stated that the Government had determined to annex the ation, those days covering the 23d of June, the anniver- is ever excluded from the European press. It is great in- territory of Baroda. nary of Plassy, which was considered the most dangerous discretion on the part of the editors, as well as of the The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—When was that day for that country on account of the excitement of the Government, not to prevent the publication of such statement made! native mind. Now, let me inform your lordships what letters. Therefore I say the Goverementdoes more injury Earl GRANVILLE—I do not know the precise date. the provisions of that Act were. First of all, no printing by allowing, through the medium of the press, our ens- The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH—Was it before or press was to be kept without a license from the Govern- mies to know every movement of our troops, and by after the passing of the act relative to the press I ment, under a penalty of 5001. er two years' imprison- allowing eve r y e xcited man to publish his feelings to the Earl GRANVILLE—Bef sre it. The Calcutta papers inept, or both ; two years' imprisonment being death to natives, than by permitting the press to remain as it was announced that part of the deficiency in the public r evs . an European in India. Death I worse than death, even under the former system. (Hear.) I must allude to nue was to be met by a reduction of the allowances because including every suffering that can be inflicted the feeling which exists in India on the subject of the granted to native princes. Such statements were, of - upon the body. Secondly, the Act conferred the power English press. There is no one who can feel more deeply course, productive of much mischief, and, besides their of searching for and seizing unlicensed presses. Then than I h ave th e enormity of the crimes committed in effect upon the natives, I think Lord Canning had reason applications for licenses were to be granted under such India. N o one f ee l s snore than Ido that it is absolutely to complain of them upon another ground. He was in conditions, if any, as the Governor-General in Council, necessary to give future security to Englishmeu in that the habit of publishing in the Calcutta papers all the or the Governor-General might think fit to prescribe, country by punishing in the most exemplary manner all information which he received of an authentic character, and such licenses might be revoked at pleasure. The whoahould be convicted of having perpetrated those and yet it was no unusual thing to find in the same conditions might be exactly whatever the Governor- crimes. (Hear.) The crime of the soldier who attacks journals, by the side of the official intelligence obtained General chose. The Governor-General might, if he his officer is to my view the crime of parricide. The from the Government, news of an entirely opposite cha thought fit, under this Act, require that there should crime of a man who violates a woman is so horrible that ratter, for which there was no foundation whatever, and be a previous censorship, and very much better would for my part I should wish that in the legislation of all calculated to cause great detriment to the English cause. it have been if he had determined upon taking that the world the punishment—the inexorable punishment That was conduct that could not be overlooked. (Hear.) course, because a previous censorship, conducted with —for it were death. But could any one have contern- I have heard it said that the Indian Government have intelligence would have altogether prevented the mis- plated the possibility of a crime so extensively com• acted with greater rigour towards the English than chief apprehended from the indiscretion of the news- witted i n I n di a —the crime of torturing and near towards the native press. The fact is, I believe, that papers. The course which has been adopted al lows the dering children I There is something so revolting to except in one or two instances, where it has been found mischief, and only attempts to prevent it by punishment human nature in such a crime that I cannot understand necessary to take an officer into custody, the native press subsequently to the issue of publications which may how any mercy could possibly be shown for so horrible has submitted itself peaceably to the instructions issued have been injurious ; but I think in the state of real an offence. (Hear, hear.) I would persecute with un- by Government, whereas the English press, with that danger which existed, that the censorship would have remitting zeal the perpetrators of those horrible crimes. firmness which characterises us all, has become more been infinitely preferable to the course which has been God would not forgive us if we pardoned them ; but I unfriendly than ever. It was absolutely necessary that followed. The Act provides that, if the editor of a do entreat your lordships, and the people of this country, the Government should proceed against the English newspaper agrees to certain conditions, the penalty for and our countrymen in India, to recollect that for pun- press, for it would have made itself a laughing-stock to violating such conditions shall be a fine of 5001. and two ishment to produce real effect there must be discrimina- the whoe of India if, after having passed such an act, it years' imprisonment. It further provides that books, tion. (Hear.) To produce effect the punishment even bad refrained from putting it into execution. (Hear.) I &c., printed at a licensed press shall have the printer's of the g reatest offences must a pp ear to be inflicted after are the more anxious to state the grounds upon which I anpublisher's names, and that copies shall be sent to ample investigation from the judicial administrators of think the conduct of the Government quite defensible, the magistrates. Besides this, the Governor-General , the law. (Rear, h e ar.) It must not appear to be the ' and, indeed, imperatively called for by a sense of public may prohibit the circulation of any book, newspaper, result of the wild vengeance of a private individual. duty , be cause I believe there is no doubt that it is this or ntriottd paper, wherever printed ; and whoever know. (Hear, hear.) If it be desired that out , empire in India ac t w hich has caused all the virulent attacks which have ingly imports, publishes, or circulates, or causes to be should be, as I trust it will, eternal, it can rest only been made by the Indian press upon Lord Canning since published or circulated, any such newspaper or printed upon mutual confidence between the governors and tie promulgation of the restrictions. (Hear.) The noble paper, is liable to the penalty of 500/., or two years' governed, and I trust that in the hour of victory, if we lord said that the Government passed the act to defend imprisonment. Now,' these being the provisions of the should triumph, we shall be found as jealous of our itself. Now, there were no personal attacks upon Lord Act, it is necessary to see what were the conditions honour a s i n the hour of difficulty, for by acting on such Canning in the press previous to the passing of the ant, required from the editors. Those conditions were— a principle we shall, if so unfortunate as to fall, be accom- and therefore there could be no vindictive feeling on the "That no book, pamphlet, newspaper, or other work, panied in our fall by that which we have hitherto carried part of the Governor-General. I find in a July number shall contain any observations ' impugning the motives or with us, and I hope ever will carry with us through of one of the leading Calcutta papers, which smarts designs of the British Government, either in England or this great contest, the sympathy and goodwill of Euro- under the infliction of a " warning," a statement to the India, or in any way tending to bring it ' into contempt,' peen nations. (Hear, hear.) The noble earl concluded effect that up to the time of the restrictions every Euro ' weaken its authority,' or that of 'its servants, civil or by moving for a copy of the Arms Act lately passed by pean in India gave not only his support, but his sym military. the Legislative Council of India ; also, a return of all pathy to Lord Canning. That, it seems to me, stands "Nor anything 'having a tendency to create suspicion' native and European newspapers licensed under the Act rather in contradiction to the bitter accusations which in the native mind of interference with their religion. of the Legislative Council of India passed on the 13th now proceed from the same quarter; it shows, at all "Nor to weaken thelfriendship of native Princes towards June last ; and also, copies of all letters of warning ad- events, the estimation in which Lord Canning was held dressed to the editors of any such native and Europntn previous to the passing of the act relative to the press. newspapers respectively, and of all revocations of the I believe that Lord Canning, receiving representations— licenses, if any, of such newspapers, and of all °erre- not from those surrounding him in Calcutta, but from spondence relating to the restitution thereof. the highest military and civil authorities in the country, Earl GRANVILLE—The noble earl, in pursuance of as to the dangerous tendency of much of the writing his notice, has directed his attention chiefly to the sub- both in the English and the native press, was more than jects of the Arms Act and the Act which places restric- ju w . h st e i n fie a d i ilt n h passing a temporary restrictive act at a time e energy eaonf cause. wasG sv ov it e h rnment t a the closing reciniredto Lions on the press in India ; but he began bystating tha t defend the English alarm had been felt in Calcutta for the safety of that rem a rk s of the noble earl nothing, respectam sure, could be place. This very circumstance was fully investigated, more ocifuahi n t a e d d. admirable, r nim l t i t b h c l rl e ied , nyed especially aob.uantl ? i lbelievel one man sa i tt n uh g itu f pp r ti uoottietl;oecnfoitni mutiny, e tcnuht s :at o i taniwe questionnt] a l well su a hr e .- - and it was ascertained that there was nothing to warrant any real alarm as to the safety of Calcutta. The der, s o u r w i l n u Arms Act to which the noble earl referred contains pro- ment should be administered as i a visions with respect to the importation of saltpetre and served from all character of private vengeance.• I pre- visionsand with respect to dealing in arms. As the noble glad to hear the noble earl affirm so firm and positively guns, all the principles . of Lord Canning's policy with regard earl has not alluded to that part of the measure, it is not to the punishment of the guilty, and the showing, I will necessary for me to go into it. The other part of the not say mercy ,but justice to the innocent. I agree with measure I do not think in any way meets the description I the noble earl that the only means of insuring good go which the noble earl gave of it. Tke Act does not ha- vernment in India is to produce and encourage confi. mediately compel the Europeans and natives to give UP dence between the people and their rulers. If our govern. their arms, or to obtain licenses to carry them ; but it ment is to continue, our only object must be the happiness enables the Governor-General in Council to proclaim of those whom we govern. That object is perfectly corn any district, reserving to himself the power of exempting p'atible with the best interests of the English nation, and from the operation of the Act any persons or classes of I believe that when these events are calmly considered, persons whom he may think fit to exempt. I know that and at all events when history shall pronounce its verdict, at Calcutta there was a very general wish that martial nothing will so entirely justify Lord Canning as the law should be at once established and general disappoint- c almness and firmness with which he resisted the press ment took place that that was not done. It has been sure to which he was subjected to induce him to place said that Sir Colin Campbell, supported by the Governor- Europeans and natives on a different footing. His con- General, desired the establishment of martial law, but duct in this respect will, when this disastrous mutiny there is not the slightest foundation for that statement. I has been euppreseed, enable the Government to resume The town was not in danger, and continued perfectly its former course, and to be a dministered without its tranquil during the two ahomedan festivals, when being regarded by the natives as a tyrannical and hostile danger was most to be apprehended. With respect to the power. This calmness and courage Lord Canning has defence of the lives and property of the inhabitantstheir displayed in the highest degree. I have seen letters in lordships would recollect the ridicule with which on a which he has been accused of every compatible and in former occasion the noble earl treated the idea of persons compatible deficiency a man could exhibit under such going about with revolvers under their umbrellas to de- circumstances ; but I am bound to say that in some of tend themselves. But the noble earl's objection to the these very letters, written before Delhi was taken or Act is that Europeans are comprehended within its pro • Lucknow reached, I have seen imputations of aotual visions as well as natives, and he says this is not the cowardice east upon both General Wilson and General policy we ought to pursue—but the policy should be to Havelock, the results of whose operations have shown make the English be like Normans and the natives like that not only was every bit of caution which they die- Saxens. I cannot agree in that opinion, which I think played absolutely necessary, but that their objects have is perfectly inconsistent with that portion of the noble been attained only by the most heroic exertions on their earl's speech in which be observed that without mutual parts. (Hear, hear.) On the other hand, my lords, I feelings of kindness the government of India could not be have seen letters—from young men, it is true, whose carried on. Nothing could be more inconsistent with opinions are not worth much, but still showing that the such an opinion than the announcement in this house by conversation which they hear is not all on one side— one of its most eloquent members, and one, too, who has defending Lord Canning's character and conduct, and had so much experience . in India, that the few resident complaining of the uufe'rness of the attacks to which he English there should act as Normans, and that the has bean subjected. I have also seen letters from some millions of natives should be treated like conquered of the ablest Indian officers, praising in the highest Saxons. A suggestion was made to Lord Canning that terms the courage and coolness of Lord Canning. I Christians should be exempted from the Act, but, most have seen letters from civilians who have passed their properly I think, he felt that, since many of the native whole lives in India, holding exactly the same language, rajahs, zemiiadars, and their retainers, had exposed their and stating that the real cause of Lord Canning's un lives and property in order to stand by the cause of the popularity among a certain portion of the Calcutta Government, any act subjecting them to a disarmment people is the singular calmness and absence of fidget from which all Europeans and Christians were expressly with which he has applied all his energies to the work exempted would have been a most unwise and impolitic in hand. Do you wi,h to know what General Mane. measure. (Hear.) Supposing the Act proclaimed in any field thinks I General Mansfield said, by the first mail, district, can your lordships imagine that it would be that he could only judge Lord Canning to be one of difficult fur a loyal Englishman who wishes to be ex- the ablest men of business that he had ever met; by empted to give at once the only notice required with re- the second mail he wrote that, having had some gard to the number of arms which he possesses and opportunity of ascertaining facts, his belief was that which he desires to retain 1 It must be obvious that the one calm head in Calcutta was that upon Lord every Englishman worthy of the name will be very glad Canning's shoulders, (Hear, hear.) Sir Colin Campbell to comply with the Act in that respect , and nothin g thinks that the English in India are fortunate in having more will be required of him, for the Act provides that at their head at this moment so able a chief, so perfect a in a proclaimed district wherever any person makes a gentleman, and such an admirable man of business as return of the arms in his possession and requests to be Lord Canning. I think that, at a moment when great was r. allowed to retain them he will receive a lice nse enablin g p anic existed iu Calcutta, he w eth in him to do so. There can be no objection, sure the subject wasly, to such self to troo wh h o e s n e that,as our doinion in India an Act. (Hear.) The noble earl, leaving at a time w h edfiel felt ht b s esusp t m ected gut it of the Arms A c t, p ro ceeded to comment quest the re- depended anapoenf tthheegbreelaiteefaitnimoupresretalfn-ceoentfihdaetntcheaahnedadcouni strictions placed on the press, and that on be rage, it w nhetsbeatcountry should not be thought to qualities. (Hear, hear.) And I seemed rather to adnarkaettnaebky utphoenstthaetellißernittiathhaptreLaso,radt thheedEefitierioepnetainns it Canning had made home. .1 deny that statement. ti l ce ad to m L it o t r h d at C p an o ning. With re- I believe Lord Canning am quite sure that, among Englishmen even, too great would be infinitely i y in t nt h ion a nf n t u la b e li n n oble earl hirnsll an indiff,r,,nce to personal danger is not likely very long questions in the to tell against Lord Canning. I have thought it right to object tothe freest disc possibly there may the enlightenment of every I press, or to the widest circn a n ass p of nt ani 3 t r h it t i n s g h te a n u d b ig t t i o . t g o ar s d a y to th th u o s s m e u t u w h o i A n J c u ts e , Nobody but a madman daywould think of attacking the be defects in their details, but I cannot see the justice of which such a questionthehasbrought against on accusations which the noble earl and the ture to ontem ate such a thing, them, anl certainly believe that by the means of these press at home ; may arise, if we can yen i n eine' la conciliating the native tribes as partly stated by the has been carried out, without in the slightest a H tl ea o r f , h E e h ar L . will be a day dark and gleomy i the annals of England. meas cresthe principle of e Tt . But the English press in India, .degree ear e noble earl, stands on a perfectly different footin • from dangering the lives or the property of the European real rmeossrehdei:e- dents. E ( tke press at home. The noble earl sta e . ) ENBOROIJGH—If I unertood similar. Nothing, t m d de t ed a , hat is so h true that I believe the noble earl correctl hopinion s that represented the people. Tteatuhehep y, e expressed the which is not represented by a portion of Lord Canning is more favourable to the liberty of the there is no class It is to be remembered that our press than lam the aggregate press. by the llof P V e ' • assisted and controlled - Earl GRA.NVILLE—More favourable to free discus press is t and by the public meetings which are constantly e i ons men Free discussion I I held all over the country, The press certainly influences Lord ELLENBOROUG. II— Lord Ca and assists in the formation of public opinion, but public thought it was about the press. As to Act.that, r I Can opinion daily reacts upon the press, checking and con- ning, a Liberal, was the anther of this o much had trolling it in a variety of ways. A wholly difterent state peen in India three days I was I subjected sawthe danger more arising of things exists in India. The noble earl must have read abuse than Lord Canning• and it the minute of Sir T. Munro, and although he may not from the indiscretion of thehnpre nhat I did w" "t for entirely agree with it, yet the authority of Sir T. Munro want of suggestions froth Them not adopt is not to be put aside, especially when he points out what some measure against. it. Directors, I recollect, that it would be advisable to impose dangers may accrue in India from the errors of the Eeg- suggested to me . Loh press, referring particularly to the Misch i e f s which some restrictions upon the prop, and that it would Us. "The above conditions apply equally to original matter and to matter copied from other publications." Now, of these conditions I think that which requires that nothing shall be published which has a tendency to create suspicion in the native mind of inter ference with their religion, and also that which requires that nothing shall be published which may tend to weaken the friendship of native princes towards us, are perfectly legitimate ; nor do I understand that these conditions have in any case been violated. I know myself the extreme danger which is created by the circulation of opinions as if they were the views entertained by the Government with respect to native Powers. No one in my time ever threw the slightest suspicion upon the views of the Government with regard to the religion of the people ; but I know well the danger of saying anything which may weaken the friendship of the native princes. If that provision had not been introduced, or if the editors of newspapers acting in conformity with the opinion of the Govern ment, had not abstained from publishing statements which might have weakened the friendship of the native princes, I really know not what might have been the condition of our Indian empire at the present time. We owe the safety of our communications in an extensive district altogether to the fidelity of the Rajahs of Rewah and Gwalior ; but, if instead of abstaining from making observations upon the conduct of those princes, thelndian newspapers had expressed doubts of their fidelity, and in the spirit which too much animates persons in that country had expressed ahope that when our rule was re-established there would be further and further annexations, I assure you that every part of central India chiefs as well as subjects would have been in arms against us. I therefore entirely agree with the Government in the necessity of making that condition, and also in the necessity of making the con dition with respect to the religion of the natives ; but observe how these conditions fail in meeting the require ments, which are equally, or nearly equally pressing, and how the Act itself and the conditions imposed under it go altogether beyond the necessity of the case. No doubt inconvenience may result—under some circum stances there may be more than inconvenience—from the dissemination through the press in India of observations tending to bring the Government of that country into contempt. But the provisions of this Act are not con fined to the general conduct of the Government in India, but they apply to the conduct of the Government of this country in so far as it affects the Indian empire. Ali that the Government of India have to do is to pre serve their own safety, and to leave us to ourselves; but instead of confining themselves to this object, they make the penalties attach to any newspapers or books what ever, wherever printed, and also to newspapers which republish papers printed elsewhere. Indeed, in a recent case a newspaper was either warned or suppressed—l don't remember which—for republishing in India an article from a newspaper called the Press, published in this country. Now, observe what the effect of this provision really is. This law prohibits the press of India from speaking freely on the subject of the position of Englishmen in that country, and also with reference to the conduct of the Government there ; and, so far as it can, it extends its coercion to the press of this country, for it provides for prohibiting the publication of anything which has been published in England that may not suit the views of the Government of India, and from the day of such prohibition any English gentleman in India who knowingly receives a book or a newspaper so prohibited will be liable to a penalty of 5001., ard to two years' imprisonment. Why, my lords, the things most injuri ous to the Government of India are the debates which sometimes take place in this house—(cheers) — suc h debates as took place on the first day of this ses sion, and such as may be expected during its pro gress. Is nothing to be said during those debates which is not laudatory of the Government here and in India 4 Is nothing whatever to be said impugning the conduct of the Government here, or the policy of the Government of India I If, however, in any one of those debates anything is said of such a nature, the Governor- General may require that the English newspapers con taining them shall be , taken to him, and, on finding anything objectionable in the report of any speech in either House of Parliament, he may prohibit the circula tion of such newspaper , and any gentleman who knowingly receives the Times or the Daily News of a certain date, after that prohibition, is subject to a penalty of 5001. and two years' imprisonment. My lords, I don't know whether it is the object of this pro vision, but certainly its effect, if fully carried out—and from the warning given to a newspaper for republishing a paragraph from an :English newspaper I have no doubt it is intended fully to carry it out—its effect will be to deprive us in this• country of knowing through the press what are the opinions of our countrymen in India, and to deprive them of what is still more important, the opportunity of knowing what we think of them. (Hear, hear.) It wills establish a system of mntual ignorance. The Governor-General said, when he imposed the law, that it was directed against the native press; that the native press bad publhihed that which was injurious to the State ; that he could not say the same of the English press • but that he could not see any solid stan din g ground on which a line might be drawn - marking out the difference between one and the other. That, again, is following out the insane principle of treating in India —and especially at the present time—natives and Europeans upon the same footing. (Cheers.) But, Although the Governor-General may not have been able