The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-18 00:00:00

FRIDAY.

Mr. CARDWELL moved the following resolution
"That this House, while in it. present state of informa-
tion it abstains from expressing an opinion on the policy
of any proclamation which may have been issued by the
Governor-General of India in relation to (hide, has seen
with regret and serious apprehension that Her Majesty's
Government have addressed to the Governor-General,
through the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors,
and have published, • despatch condemning in strong
tenns the conduce of the Governor-General; and is of
opinion that such a courso on the part of the Govern-
ment must tend, in the present circumstances of India,
to produce the most prejudicial effect, by weakening the
authority of the Governor-General, and encouraging the
further resistance of those who are in arms against us."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Serjeant DEASY in
an energetic speech of considerable length.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL WM at • loss to understand
its object, but after Mr. Cardwell's speech he found that,
it was an assault upon the Ministry.
Mr. LINDSAY thought there was sufficient evidence
before the House to justify it in meeting the motion with
a direct negative.
Lord A. VANE TEMPEST defended the policy of Lord
Ellenborough, whose despatch he characterized as most
able. . .

Mr. DILLWYN moved, an amendment of the resolu-
tions, that the House generally approved Lord Canning's
policy up to the time of the Oude proclamation.
Col. Sykes was convinced that Lord Canning never
meant to carry out a system of confiscation of the hinds
of Oude. . . . .

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vtehne
to i r
iur n
slitri ;eh ts' co
un "'wet itt.
Mr. V. SMITH was ready to take issue on the proclama-
tion of Lord Canning, who had the best advice, and
with eaini awi le
er
who, he had no doubt, WAS actuated by the notion, which
had influenced every Governor-General, that it was the
first duty of the Government in such cases to show their
power.
Lord STANLEY complained that Mr. Cardwell had
unduly and unfairly limited the inquiry, he considered
the policy indicated in the proclamation inexpedient,
and its effects, he believed would be unjust.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the House must perceive that
the matter had been brought to • very serious issue.
Mr. Cardwell asked the House to give its opinion of
the conduct of the Government irrespective of the merits
or demerits of the proclamation. The Solicitor-General
and Lord Stanley, on the other hand, silted that the
whole case should be judged, and that s decision should
be pronounced upon the merits of the proclamation of
Lord Canning, as well as upon those of the Government
despatch. So that the House was reduced to this alter-
native—either to censure the Government, or to declare
Lord Canning to be deserving of the most severe repro-
bation. But the proclamation before the House was an
Imperfect document; yet the moment the draught of the
intended proclamation was received, it was seised upon
and censured. The duty of every Government towards
such a man as Lord Canning, placed in so perilous a
position, who deserved praise and approbation—fair and
common justice demanded that any censure pulsed upon
him should be of • nature that would not disable him
from performing his difficult duties. Yet he had been
, visited by a condemnation resembling a lampoon rather
than a grave rebuke, full of sarcasms and reproaches.
The Government, he said, had written to Lord Canning
in • way totally unbecoming of the Government of a
great empire, and it was most mischievous and dangerous
to our rule in India to publish that document; for this
opinion he had the authority of the head of the Go-
vernment. The Government were responsible for muting
the despateh, and also for It. publication,
On the motion of Mr. ROUnce, the debate wits ad.
journed.
The House, after some further bualnece, adjourned al
quarter pact 12 o'clock.