The Press.
London, England, 1858-05-15 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

TELE INDIAN POLICY.

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Mr. CARDWELL rose to move his resolution, cen-
suringof
the Government on account of their despatch
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That despatch, as he inferred from the language
employed by different members of the Administra-
tion, the whole Cabinet had adopted, rendering
themselves responsible for its concoction, its adoption
and its transmission to ludic. Even after the
document had been despatched, the Ministers of the
Crown, when interrogated on the 6th of May,
might have refused, under their official realm.
sibilitres, to allow of its publication prematurely
in England. The public, however, attached much
greater importance to the assertion by the Chan.
cellor of the Exchequer, that the Government had
disapproved of Lord Canning's proclamation "in
every sense." He adverted to the possession by Mr.
Bright of an exclusive copy of the despatch, insisting
that the matter required explanation, and was at pre
sent not satisfactorily explained. After mentioning the
fact that he had himself given notice of a resolution
on the subject, he observed that on the following day
Lord Ellenborough had chivalrously resigned office.
He maintained, nevertheless, that the colleagues of
the noble lord were not thereby exonerated from
liability for the despatch which they had collectively
approved. He did not intend to ask for any judg-
ment upon the policy indicated by the proclamation
attributed to Lord Canning. (Ironical cheers.)
If the Home Ministry disapproved of the conduct and
policy of the Governor-General, they should have
recalled him ; if not, they were bound to give him
cordial and confidential support.
Sergeant DEASY seconded the motion. As belong-
ing to a race who bad been so often afflicted by pre-
scriptions and confiscations, he would never have
vindicated a similar proceeding towards any subju-
gated population. But the coming manifesto could not
be regarded as confiscatory. At all events, the censure
pronounced by the Home Government on that pro-
clamation was, he maintained, impolitic and premature.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL contended that the
habitants of Oude, although they bad taken up arms
against us, ought to be treated as enemies instead of
rebels. This principle, be observed, had been
adopted by all civilized nations, and he insisted that
Lord Ellenborough was perfectly justified in enforc-
ing it upon the Governor-General.
Mr. Lowe and Mr. LINDSAY having spoken,
Lord A. V. TEMPEST opposed the motion.
Mr. DILLWYN moved, by way of amendment on
Mr. Cardwell's resolution, " That the house generally
approves of Lord Canning's policy up to the time of
the Oude proclamation, and is satisfied with the
firmness and judgment he has evinced during the
crisis in India ; but declines to give any opinion
upon the proclamation itself until it has had further
information respecting the state of :Dude when it was
issued, and also Lord Canning's reason for issuing
Mr. H. RAMIE explained that he had originally
promised to produce the despatch on the direct
authority of Lord Ellenborough. With respect to
the proclamation, he observed that Sir J. Outram
had some time since recommended an amnesty,assuring Lord Canning that it would completely pacify
the province. A month had passed since the mani-
festo was issued, and the Governor General bad sent
home no single word of explanation in his official
communications, whatever he might have said in
private letters.
Mr. V. SMITH defended the proclamation. To keep
Lord STANLEY vindicated the despatch of the
Government. It was, he contended, not only
justified but demanded by the circumstances under
which Lord Canning's proclamation had been issued
and the consequences it was likely to producein.lndia.
Lord J. RUSSELL narrowed the question into a
single issue between the Home Government and the
Governor-General. Either the house must censure
the Administration or declare Lord Canning unfit
for his high post. The noble lord proceeded to
blame the Government on various points connected
l
with the writing, the transmission, and the proinu
gation of the despatch.
On the motion of Mr. ROEBUCK the debate was
then adjourned to Monday.
s 'clock.
The house adjourned at half-put twelve o