The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-20 00:00:00

themselves stated, for the express purpose of laying 1 agricultural improvement. In the north-west of Indie,
their grievances before Petli awe it. But observe, these where Mr Bird'e settlement was estatilahed in 1842
!gentlemen did not ask that a Royal Citnthissian should the system had work} d so well and had proved so bete,-
ne sent out—so far from that, they said they were per- ficiet to tee country, that the B luah iy Governm,,nt;
i,
leetly williog and atde to lay their grievances before this ' Were naa itaroducitig it into (heir own pteadence,—
Rouse, and in order Chit the 'Luse might see the mode . (lasne, hear.) The Hon- M",o'wr far Youghal had else
An which they proposed to cile so, he would read a short ; laid great stress uti m the eject Poverty and dietreee
Extract from the programme they had issued, setting lof the natives of 'Ala under British ruts; but ho
forth the grounds upon which they intended going to I (Mr. Hardinge) must say, from what he had observed
Parliament. They styled themselves the British Indian in that country, that be thought the Hon. Member's
Association; and they stated that the society should stateraeuts somewhat exeggeratod. Ho had been
in „vend parts of India, end had travelled in Cashmere
be formed for a period of not less than three years;
that its great aim and object should he to promote and other countries under native rule, and, in his opi-
the improvement and efficiency of the British Indian nion the natives of those countries exhibited a strong
Government by every legitimate means in its contrast as compared with the natives of those who en-
Power, and thereby to advance the common interests joyed British rule. Much misconception had arisen,
Of Groat Britain and India, and ameliorate the condition and many statements had been made, its regarded our
of the native iehabitsints of the litter country; and that system of tax short in ledia particularly with reference
to the salt tax—or, as the lien. Member had termed it,
as sib object of primary impertence the •asseciati in
should make such urgent reprtaentetiens to the Imperial the salt neonop ily. But the salt tax was not a monopoly
Parliament of Great Britain in the ensuing discussions of in the smile in which the Hon. Member had presented it
the East India Charter as might be calculated to remove to the House, for within a period of five years the Go-
defects in the laws and civil edmiiiisiretiort, and
promote vermeil: hud reduced the tax 15 per cent, and this mea-
the general welfare of British India. That showed, sure had led to en eneuel increase in the consumption to
then, that these genii men had as.„„ciaiel to bring their the exceitt of 18,0110 tons; whtl.t the price of salt had
grievances before Parliament, and that they would avail been so much reduced to the consumer by the large ins-
themselves of the o portunity which would be nreseeted pertatiens, net *Daly from Che.hire, bat from Bombay,
p
trithem for doing so by these discussion, on the E cat ledia Madras, aid the Ceylon coast, tie fully to answer the ex
Charter. There was, however, t stronger proof still that
,st pectati me of the promoters of the reduction of the duty.
these gentlemen did net wish a R tyal Commikisien ehould —(Hear.) It had been suggested elsewhere that an ad-
besent to India; for it so happened chat they had addressed dition ot repel troops should be made to the present
fs' Petition to the • Executive Government of India, and forces in India. That was a subject which would re-
in the petition they actually stated that they did not quire the most grave and mature consideration ; hut of
wain ruck a Commission to be sent out. That petition one thing he
Was addressed to the Deputy- Governor of Bengal; and • • • pact to the eels feelings and
•prejudices of the sepoy,
was certain that as long as they paid re-
itetated distinctly that " ,it was necessary to call such a and to his ideas of caste, they may rely upon his fidelity,
Machinery into existence.- It was clear, therefore, they and upon ehe zeal and services of the native army. He
did-not seem to think that their grievances required any hoped the House would nor senction any radical changes
lush Commission as this to be sent out. As he (Mr. in the management of Indian affairs, unlcsa such changes
Bane) bad before observed, he had no doubt that the were imperatively called for.
land-tax would be one of the great grievances, and the Mr. HUME was glad that ho had given way to the
Ron. Gentleman also talked of the salt duties and the Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down, on account of
opium monopoly—in short, of all the standing grievances the practical knowledge he had shown on the subject.
of India; but however much these hates Might be cons- With respect to the proposed inquiry, he wished to ex-
plained of, he very much doubted if the Hon. Gentleman, press his satisfaction at it. At the same time he must
or any of the learned natives who were included in the urge on the Hon. and Learned Gentleman who had pro-
Mew association, would be able to devise a scheme of posed the amendment to withdraw it, as it was utterly
taxation in India by which nearly 5,000,000 of revenue impracticable. The 100 millions of which the popula-
olti be raised there annually in a manner less obnoxi- tion of India was composed consisted of tribes and races
ous or injurious to the great body of the people than of Such diversity that, if they sent out a Commission to
the system which was now in force in that country.— India, they aheuld send a Commission to every distinct
(Rear.) In discussing the question it was necessary tribe, and where could they find persons to -Conduct such
that the House should bear in mind and clearly un- a multi,arious inquiry. They should have recourse to
derstand what was the object and the intention of the the servants of,the East India Company, than whom no
Governmentt in proposing the appointment of this COM. persons were more capable of performing the duties de•
bit tee. The Rouse was aware, as his Right Hon. volved upon them; the best proof of which was, that no
able
(Mr. Herries) had already stated in his very emergency had ever occurred without men being found
speech, that the present form of our Indian govern- who were capable of meeting it. They would bamuch
bent was established by the Act of 1833. Previous to better able to get at truth by an inquiry conducted at
the passing of that Act a Committee was appointed to home, where they could have the services of some of the
investigate every branch and department of the Indian ablest men connected with India. With respect to the
edra. iiiistration. That Committee was composed, he exemptions to which the Hon. and Learned Gentleman
believed,
of seventy Members, and in order to faci- had referred, as having Leen made by Government. he re-
litate . their inquiri• s, they were sub-divided into collected more absurd regulations being made in this
*ix Committees, each Sub-Committee undertaking to in- country than had ever been made with respect to the ins-
hestigate one of the six branches ref the administration porratton of salt in India. The real thing to be con-
-1 which the business of the India House and the Board eidered was the principle upon which the inquiry was
sof Control was elessified and arranged. Each of these to be conducted. He was pleased to find the Govern.
üb-Committees made a report, and the whole of the ment had not determined on making any change which
thnarts were comprised in not less than eight large blue would hive the effect of removing the Court of Direc-
-4.0°4 He, mentioeed this merely that the House might tors from the management of Indian affairs. No policy
7." in mind that, previous to the Act of 1833, the so- could be more fatal than such a removal of the superin-
nistration of the affairs of India underwent a full, tendence of the Court of Directors. With respect to the
uThplete, and searching investigation. It must be alleged poverty of India it was only comparative. There
,tef3u..vi..ous, therefore, that. the Government had no in- was poverty in Eeglaud and Ireland as well as in India;
. Luton, nor indeed was it necessary, that such an but the cysts on the Company's lands were more com-
ilanquitY should take place now. They were already tortable than those in any of the native principalities.- A
ti; yossession ef the information which was procured by comparison between liadie and England wax nota just one.
b,t..t, Committee, and which Was contained in the blue Let them rather make a comparison between our colonies
d:our to which he had referred. Theuestion which in different part: of the world and India as a c luny, and
55 submitted to that Committee in 183.2 was a very they would fiud that India was far superior in the coos-
p_st_e! an one from that which must now be submitted to tort and satisfaction of her people than any other col
Parliament for its decision. In 1832 the question was He trusted that the Government would see fit to enlarge
toLnnly whether•the Government iit holm should be the powers and authority of the Court of Directors. Iu
ioniued in the hands of the East Intik Company, but matters of peace and war they were utterly power•
i.,'," trier those exclusive privileges which the Company less. They knew nothing of the Affghun tear until it
i" GO long enjoyed under their charter should be can- was at an end. It was begun and ended by the
presideet of the Board of Control, without their eon-
tiiitlintl_ed or abolished. Tne question for decision now was
hat:ch mitre simple one. 'The questheu was one which sent tit. knoeledge. He hoped, too, that the commer-
ittharded the principles upon which the Government of cial policy whien had been carried out in this
en",t_ wee for the future to be carried on; whether the country would be ex•euded to lade, where it was cal-
rittwjarts which by the Act of 1833, were entrusted Si) tee cultaed to develop the resources of the country. It there
et,i " of the East India Company, and which they had was auy cenoplaint to he made against the Court of Di-
hi,'„c7_,ed since that period, shout() be continued, and if con- rectors, it was that ,hey had not paid sufficient attention
o"e1, whether those- powers should be in any way cur- to the subject of punllc works, particularly roads and
iled or restricted? These were the (111-stions which were railwat s; and greet improvement, too, might be made '
to de submitted to inquiry, and it was for Pnrlimmeet now by putout, taxation on a better footing. He would
kittcide the important question whether or sot a Cone- etronstly advise the H in. and Learned Gentleman to
1e
tieBll"id be appointed as the best mode of obtain- withdraw his amendment.
g th.,
t iurorratttion—a Committee select, d from the lead- Sir J. W. H ,
OGG bed no wish to prolong the discus- '
rpR tZentbers of all parties in this House, without any situ, which he concurred in thinking would be much
that ll'ar party view—in fact, with no other view than better postponed until the ,Commivee had made their
possession of the result.
pl, nf'henefiting
people
interests of the
and promotive, as much as possible, inquiry, and the House was in
people of India as well as of the Speaking for himself and the great Company which he
"ef Ithe opinion ofthel badhCouldonly
was
44 it also %a:Bg Ind; and it
AOintment 0 the present Government, that the sp. sole and anx'ous desire was that the most full and ample
of ek, • • c'f such information should be laid before the House and the
, u ming the r • •
a Committee would be the best mode
he (mr. Balt. requisite information. On that occasion country, end as regarded the result of any inquiry which
;4,11 !It would not enter into any discussion might be made, they had only one wish in common with i
those istalet)ements which had been made elsewhere every man in that House, and that was that the result
.of hdethsPect to the existing administration of the affairs of the deliberations in that House might be such as to
age bast' °r as . tend to the welare of India and the edvingement and
regarded the mode in which the patron
Proper 6,,°,_Tri distributed. These were all very fit and prosperity of its countless inhabitant,. He did not feel
be some_"deets for discussiob, but he thought it would disposed to follow the H ,n. and Learned Gentleman
!tt that ;eat pretnarure to enter upon such a discussion into all the subjects to which he had referred; but he
nialneet "neut. He was of opinion, however, that Par-
'he distribY W mast say he hear, listened with absolute aresz,ment (in
he was sure
lehrtee b/VOUlhti. find it exceedingly difficult to devise a which . every gentleman conversant with
Indian affiers must have shared) to the Hon. and Learned
ich such a vast amount of patronage could
isetion,. Ted; that would not be liable to abuses and ob- Gentleman as he referred to every imaginable topic and
te usea h.." it•were in the hands of Government it might subject: and he (Sir J. flog;;) should not have noticed
tarty ,'ur Party purposes; and it might be need fur his remarks at all if it were not for his concluding ob-
eli ohrttoPottes now. But if it were so, it was, at servations. No Member of that House was justified in
the o,euer: spread over all parties in the House and making statements and charges without having full and
terth., count. spread
whereas, if it • the hands of Go--.out It ay.
-which , would be used for the benefit of the party dressed the House. What, then, were they to think of
'Ye euaneed to be in power. The Hon. Member for the statements of the Honourable and Learned b ughal
Y entering.
13ti„' )g into the case of Colonel Outram. He (Mr. °earner, denouncing as he did almost all the
details/e• wo I I
a n ' not follow the lion. Member into all his an-bodies in Indi„ed at home, accusing them
let ice 1)Inn that subject, because the papers were not indirectly of the basest acts, and imputing to them the
therefor efore the Board of Control, and he was not, basest motives? The Hon. arid Learned Gentleman lied
klate,„
as °, in possession of the facts of the case. Colonel been a short time since told from the Treasury bench
ithl ''' w a pun. ,/ n 0 doubt, a very distinguished and a very that the pipers reipectine, Cutotiel Ourram's ease lesil
1)f the e! out as he was not in possession of all the facts not yet reached this country, and yet the Hen. and
So far zr, he stould only observe on this occasion, that, Learned Gentleman made those accusations and charges
respect had
was acquainted with it, he thought the Hon. without informing the House on what authority he based
Thera
to been labouring under some great error in them. He had alluded to a circular sent out bV the
&here. n many parts of the statement he had made. Bombay Government. What was the fact? There
Ilietebe:".3 another question upon which the Hon. were rumours prevalent that there were cer-
t eh. iriehad also rather misunderstood his Right fain indirect influences supposed to be at work
° stippos" (Mr. Herries). The Hon. Member seemed in Bombay at the presidency which could produce
Witedrtwe that his Right Hon. Friend contemplated certain results. It designing natives could only
of mew lag from the East India Directors the right induce a general 'belief of that kind, they would
well ae „leg the Governor• General of India. But, as be able to extort money from the native princes
I) 0 --- ne rem
obiti,..._remembered his Right Hon. Friend expressed and courts, under the impression that money could be
itherl,
oeweeasiiipou ' the subject—but deferred it to a applied at the Presidency to usetul purposes, thereby
not ashes
°1;:e. IIU"n one
point hi• Right Hon. Friend intimating that it might find its way into the
likely "tieiPatin n.
Member for Yougnal—namely, in hands of members of the G it/cm:neut. Such a report
i to be gthathe labours of the Committee were was calculated to have a most I.jurtutis effect; but whe-
tshon; but
hebroughtrhd to a close during the present sea- ther or nut, the B mbay GO7-rfIUIPUt had sent out a cir-
to 6liould not not think that that was a reason why cular to its agents desiring them to probe the rumour
esite ,mused appoint the Committee now, and leave to the bottom, and exp he the
authors of the rumour.
a• riiaa yto be carried on and completed in a future Am orrst the men who lent a read • and wilful ear to
I went if f • ' •••
) g.
In the •a future Parliament should so think fit. that object was Colon-I Outrista. There were tow men
the a meantime he thought he
°use that Co • the
lunette existence or non-existence of this Oteram. fle entered into trio inquiry with • his whole
In &omit; euld not weigh one feather in the balance heart and soul, and with reference CO the case of the
might deena i the
Government as to the course which they wretched widow to wheal the Hon. and Le irned Gen•
hringin4 th_ t their-Ants? to pursue with reference to tlemen had alluded, Colonel Outram prob:sd to the hot-
PON thOs:plaresent Parliament to a close; and he could tom the infamous conduet to which she hid been sub-
e' conatitneti:tt'aGeatlemen who were anxious to meet jected, and thoroughly exposed it, tied Colonel
of by
e' thia Committee wont! an
early
date, that the aointment c induct- in the matter had been fully approvi-11 of by the
ring soh The Hon,
hdettliot stand in the way of their Government. With regard tat the substmeent proceed-
ell a hope that t4i arn. ;Linen concluded by express- tags, they had not yet got the papers. Toe Government
pre his amendment to a
doner for Youghal would not bad directed an inquiry to be made at Baroda, and it
it Sir E. COLE BROOKE had 'beina•rd
was made there in open court, aud from the notes taken
terries)
made by the Right Ho n• eatisfaction the on that ticcesion the intorcn +lion must have been derived
lives
with reference to the ex ease
Gentleman (Mr. which the lion. and Learned Gentleman had partially
/,es of India had been intrusted withecrieh the na- doled out to the House. If the lion. and Learned Gen-
;ltelistratien; but he should have listened ctes in the ad- tlemsn were now present he should have asked him
at:,atr satiathetion had it been accompanieodit with still whether he was there as the advocate of Colonel
state of the progress made in imorovin with borne Outram, and whether he had derived his informe-
tie! and giving greater efficiency to the .tutfordthi: condi thin from the Gill hit Offi ler. What he apprehended
tf h servants in India. With regard to the a
us. was the lion. and Learned G.ntletnau's taking up a
E 1,11,4 11011. Member for Youghat, it seemed to himmthht naked statement so injurious to the Government and to
ee"tdebrooke) to involve this material defect, teithtr individuals, when the facts and the whole case were not
Hone only be carried upon the supposition that the
et before the [louse. As to the manner in which the Hon.
the Ives disposed 'tri convey a wholesale Censure on sod Learned Gentleman spoke of the. Court of Directors,
ter ••rovernment of India.- (Hear.) It could not be weert,queition was too momentous—the interests involved
thiril'd,inthed, .without setting up an authority in,
indul i,?/ too great weight, too solemn to permit of his
wont which would be independent of the Govern- w rultiftentagein recrimination; but the result ot the inquiry
to 't4 that country; and before the House came peels dtechw whether the Court of Directors had pro-
sh ° - stroll • as that, he thought it the tab! urged their stewardship. The aers laid on
should g a resolution .
0 ar"old
Sobs,' consider well whether it might not take territory in Ina show that the population ofd he British
e
kiej ,ta astire for improving the machinery and ad- was double that of
India With
reference to the• square mile,
fa Fhration fof India. As to the princes, and so f the provinces governed by native
11(4.6 n the government
R. far from bein
gilf the" of the:Committee proposed by the President 1792, theßight Ron - .g no surplus of revenue from
k , ID
a list of years fr, • kirentleznau Mr•
( .genies) had read
ve hit bleed of Control, he thought they would
w"u' ein ther
Ilot '°4 able,th f C sif they did and the period extended down tsc arge ose unc ton there was a surplus of revenue,
4 t "tag% in •• 1., • he land revenue was re to the etffrhan ,
eis a .-ng - investigation with regard to t gulate-d, . k The
moonsof the crop, but to the productive not with reference to the
e administration of India. A flouse of Com- .
Powers of
(At' "ommittee "could d h the duty of provinces the cultivator lute be ' the land. In many
th ingan .never tsc arge
roprieter. A minute en almost converted • t
e poi gestions With regard to these details, and the P
of interested survey In n
I,_ et It) Which all were as - • was . effected—the
1,41,110,,, a their attention ought to be directed rights certatned, and then of
20per cent. was all the
tofirththn; tar they could improve the machinery of go- net rents t
18 allotted CO the eultivati
ne of fc't Itldia, as well as improve the spirit and prietor or tenan , per cent. to the , eg "o-
re al 62 per cent. to the talookriax,
il e e service in that country, rememberin h t the or middle-man, and
g t a Govern.
At otesernumutof India ment ; and in those cases where
1,1 r, gam_
Cent. was was
e,etiestra- "1-IINGE expressed his satisfaction that her no middle-man
30
Pert
the Giv allotted- to ileese atiet9ehrernment had determined to deal with this the tenant, and 70 per cent. oh
rn
d. ~ ernment. That
%11l tiattt in •a spirit of fair inquiry, because be had system was begun in the southern e
the ivisionof the Itteh-
04444 th the directors courted an inquiry, and he was rattas, and was being extended to northern districts. .
he e result war were vested entirely in
et "led th would rove that they had not no- All matters of peace and
..
,1114„ e Interests el the who forwarded their dia-
iset."-"( Rea . people committed to their her Majisty's Government,
tors but to the Secret
A... ion of r, bear.) He would willingly vote for the patches, not to the Court of Three ,
deputychair- .
07stey). if the Honourable Member fur Youghal (Mr. Committee, consisting of the chairman,
Ok4llle ' "e 'could bring-himself
,and it was their duty to Ohms-
o,, hich he
dto believe that the man, and senior ,
The whole responsthi-
)att 1; iihich th• propose would really attain the wit them immediately to India.
II • ' Govern-
hil., e t„,h, is country ought to have in view. litrested in h • • tt with her 3,l'st”
y
4 htred -with the Honourable Gentleman who t rind not with the Court of Directors. But . the.
men , d .
°Mei- sPoketi (Mr. Baillie) in thinki I ttere midi--
in ma . tile Milo, that a geoeral administration of the country,
IC Purp,,,e, BPot out to India would hardly a cial,- financial d by law in the East
n "klub -- e'ven of •the Honourable Member bins*" and fiscal, was vested
Directors.
-*wi - t the 'ltself. India Comesny and way conducted by the
0. team . questions of taxation and laud ten - ' - well as for
tho htu tenure re- All the papers and dispatches from Indts, as
re coh • .
le - n'. Of / . sideration, as well as the legal eon-
i„,,,_ , ndia and India, cam- before the Court of Directors; they had the
ei:_'ne, whether the the House would shortly have to inception of the latter, which were framed by the execu-
V; mew a
_e law commission was to be abolished five of the court, who thou submitted them to the corn-
tio7l,thai badr ,a,._ future day. The Hon. Member for naittee, which had the.charge of that department, for the
tiZtty ar het id future stress on the hardship and ine- court ante divided into committees; and thus the dis-
tit,n; 114tt,:v4,_ 3 a itanx total; but it must ho remembered patches had to undergo this first ordeal. If they were
ee.° --•einted f which the natives of India bad approved of, well and good; it not, then the chairs were ,
v,h;, n widiti rom time immemorial under both suononvd, and the question was settled by them. The
4-Q, wh ahetnedan sov •
thei", en fair,_ _
use reigns. It was a tax, too, dispatch was atterwards laid on the table for a week, I
heteahtly
.04 the, fairly
ossfril, did not press will great and eubeequently discu•sed by the board. _ After this it
opinion Vatees • peopleOf India udia. With regard to the wait sent to the Board of Control, where it was
- that , he (Mr• Hard'
imp) was of adopted ,or rejected Bu', nevertheless, the law pro.
toi eore**' %couh the ' - ' •-s d • this • •
S_, .. Cornwallis aright Permanent settlement made by vete in is case for what the courtesy of the various 1
'OM tok its Lnot have . answeredall the ur
D . presidents of that board had rendered
1144 ee_oeuevolent founder la - - 'it gave a right nstrande-tn unni'cess•"'
46411 '144 iverstid a: % ad- in vihwa yet hd g . ;., of rem° the- -Board . 0f.1,,
glut inen*e to _ Dired9ri In Oa" 014 Bald 0 COO 4 made itnyielters.l