The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-21 00:00:00

INDIA HOUSE.

A Quarterlf General Court of Directors and Proprie-
tors of the East India Company was held yesterday
at the Company's house, Leadenhall-street. Mr.
M•Naghten, deputy chairman of the Court of Directors,
presided.
The minutes of the last general court having been
read and confirmed.
The bye-laws were read over, certain alterations made,
and the amendments agreed to.
Mr. LEWIS then moved, "That the Court of Direc-
tors do distribute among the proprietors, to each indi-
vidual, a copy of Tlornton's Gazetteer." He belived the
only objection to the motion was the expense ; but he
did not think, considering the importance of the work
and the valuable information it was likely to disseminate
throughout the British empire, .where little authentic
was known respecting India, that any objection could
be fairly taken to it.
Captain SNEA seconded the motion.
The CHAIESIAN trusted the honourable gentleman
would not persevere in his motion, as it would be at-
tended with on expenditure of something like 8,0001,,
and the effect of it might be to establish a precedent for
other expenses of a similar kind. Any gentleman who
wished to expend a few pounds in this valuable work
could do so, but he did not think the company ought to
be called upon to pay it.
Mr. WEEDON said, if the hon. proprietor had recom-
mended that every one should purchase the book and
place it in his library, he would be doing good service.
After a few words from Mr. Clarke, the motion was
put and negatived.
THE 6TH NATIVE LIGHT CAVALRY.

Mr. LEWIN then rose to move, " That the Court of
Directors do lay upon the proprietors' table a copy of the
despatch from the Madras Government on which
the military authorities of the Home Government
confirmed as legal (if they ever did so, as has been
stated) the proceedings of the military authorities
of Madras in the case of the court-martial of the
6th Light Cavalry." Also, " That the Court of Di-
rectors do lay upon the proprietor' table a statement
showing the present position ofall the parties (or their rela-
tives) of the same regiment (in respect of pension or other
maintenance) who were punished by award of court-
Martial, or summarily dismissed without trial. The
same statement to show the rank, the length of services,
and whether any of the parties had received honorary
rewards for distinguished services to the State." He
had frequently brought this question before the court
—(hear, hear)—but he contended that the whole affair
had been an act of injustice, and a breach of faith with
the unfortunate sepoys. The hon. gentleman then
proceeded to repeat the circumstances which gave rise
to the mutiny, and which have been frequently detailed
in the former proceedings of the court. The unfortunate
result of the affair was, that two men were put to death,
and 13 ordered to be transported for life. That these
men were shot illegally there could be no doubt, and
that was to some) extent admitted by the sentence of
transportation having been revoked with regard ;to
nearly all the men. The men had not been put upon
their trial for nine months after the affair took place,
and during all that time they were doing duty regu-
larly with the other Indian forces. The commander-
in-chief had refused a copy of the proceedings to the
relatives of these men, although they were legally
entitled to it. The most extraordinary thing was the
way in which seven native officers were summarily dis.
missed from the service. The court-martial was com-
prised of only seven instead of thirteen officers, and that
alone constituted it an illegal court. He thought there
could not be an objection to his motion. All he
wanted to know was, what had become of those men
who had been sentenced to 13 years transportation ?
Mr. JONES seconded the motion.
The CLIAIRMAN said he would best consult the feel-
ings of the court by meeting the motion with a direct
negative.
The question was then put and negatived.
Captain AVGREGOR asked a question relative to the
granting of a brevetship to Indian officers who retired
upon full pay after a lengthened service ; to which
The CIIAIRMAN replied that the now arrangement
made by the royal warrant of the 6th October last, as it
would to some extent affect the Indian army, had not
been lost sight of by the directors. The hon. gentleman
might rest assured that pani, assu, so far as new
system was applicable, the p
same regulations ewere
likely to be adopted with regard to the Indian army.
The regulations on this point will be published in a few
days.
An Hon. Proprietor gave notice of a motion for the
next quarterly court relative to the payment of 10,000/.
to the Indian .Steam-packet Company, as compensation
for the services rendered by that company in 1842.
The Court then adjourned, •