The Press.
London, England, 1858-02-13 00:00:00

THE PR

SS, rEnittutrz 18,1858.

his eyes to what others clearly saw, and that he perceived
too late the peril, deeming and tlescrib!nt, t previously as
not serious; but when his eyes were opened, and when he
was awakened to the magnitude of the danger, I admit
that then he did the best to meet the danger, and applied
himself with ability to encounter it. (Hear, hear.) In
the first instance, however, he rather underrated the nature
of the revolt, and then I think the conduct of the Indian
Government was characterised not by energy but by vacil-
lation. (Hear, hear.) lam far from endorsing or affirm-
ing all the allegations of the Calcutta petition ; but recollect
that at this very moment, when it is proposed to vote
thanks to the Governor-General of India, a very large pro-

portion of the inhabitants of Calcutta have aent to this
country a petition praying for his recall, founding that
prayer on what they state to be his weak management of
public affairs, and attributing to him qualities the very
opposite of ability and energy—namely, vacillation and
irresolution. Lord Canning's answer to that petition is
not before the public, but I must say that to pass a vote of
thanks to Lord Canning with that petition unanswered,
appears like screening Lord Canning from the effects of
future charges, and prejudging the case. ( Hear, hear.)

Neither could Lord Derby agree with the name of
Lord Harris being placed in the list of those des-
tined for those high honours as the thanks of that
house. Madras had been so tranquil during the
rebellion, that although that was creditable to the
government of Lord Harris, yet the circumstances of
Madras were entirely different from those of Bengal.
Madras was a notoriously tranquil Presidency, and
be did not, therefore, think that Lord Harris had
earned the thanks of that house. His lordship then
proceeded to bear his testimony to the inestimable
merits of our naval and military authorities, whose
services he eulogised in his most eloquent strain.
Referring especially to the defence of Lucknow, the
noble earl observed :

I may be permitted, without in the slightest degree dis-
paraging the services of any of the other officers, to express
my opinion, as I did before, that of all the events of this
war even the successful siege of Delhi and the successful
relief of Lucknow are not exceeded in interest and impor-
tance by the gallant and unparalleled defence of that small
garrison of Lucknow. (Cheers.) I believe that, without
disparaging those other events, the existence of that garri•
son with their feeble means, against overwhelming odds,
and under circumstances which might well have led them
to despair, will stand almost unparalleled in history.
I believe that from the general who held that important
command down to the humblest soldier who shared in
that unparalleled defence, and especially including those
native troops to whom the noble baron has properly re-
ferred—l am firm in my conviction that there is not one
of that gallant and heroic garrison who does not deserve,
and who will not, I hope, receive, some signal individual
mark of her Majesty's favour. (Loud cheers.) If the
Victoria Cross can ever be well bestowed en masse, it
would not be thrown away on men who could so endure,
who had so dared, and had so nobly sustained. (Cheers.)
Lord Derby then commented upon the remarkable
absence in the proposed votes of the names of many
eminent civilians—such as 'enables, the indigo
planter, "who, when the authorities had deserted
the station at Azimghnr, almost alone, with only the
assistance of his own ryots, maintained himself for
six weeks." Again, there was the name of Gubbins,
an undistinguished name, but borne by a distin-
guished man, who by his influence and character
kept down the mutiny in his district. There was
Boyle, the civil engineer, who headed the little garri-
son of Arrah, and there " imitated or set the example
to the defenders of Lucknow ; for what be did on a
small scale was not unworthy to rank with the
defence of Lucknow." Again, there was Mr. Money,
who by " a splendid act of insubordination " dis-
obeyed an order, and maintained himself at Gya,
and eventually carried away with him a very large
amount of treasure which bad been abandoned. And
lastly, there was Mr. Taylor of Patna. Lord Derby
concluded by stating that, though he did not feel
himself justified in dividing their lordships on the
propriety of the vote, he felt that he should almost
be failing in his duty it he refrained from protesting
against the first paragraph in it.
The Duke of ARGYLL defended Lord Canning at
much length, and attributed to the firm and consi-
derate policy of the Governor-General no small
influence in surmounting the enormous difficulties
which bad beset the Indian Administration.
The Duke of CAMBRIDGE thought that it would ill
become him as Commander in-Chief to let such
a vote of thanks pass in silence, no matter how ably
it had already been discussed, without adding his
meed of praise to the distinguished eulogies which
had been so well and justly bestowed. He entirely
coincided in that vote of thanks, and thought, how-
ever high was the reward which such praise from
Parliament conferred, it was not more than the
services of the brave men mentioned in the vote
deserved and required at their country's hands.

After a few words from Lord FALKLAND,

The motion was agreed to unanimously.
Her Majesty's gracious reply to the address of
congratulation upon the marriage of the Princess
Royal was read by the LORD CH ALSCELLOR.