The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-13 00:00:00

The Duke of 'Wellington wrote to Lord Melville, in answer,
to this effect :
" I will not miss this opportunity of stating to you my
opinion—first, that the European army in the East Indies
ought to be the King's; secondly, that the three armies (that
is, the armies of the three Presidencies) ought to continue
separate and distinct ; thirdly, that the native army ought
to be the Company's, if the Company should continue to be
the Sovereign of the territory; . . fifthly, it is my
opinion that all authority, civil and military, must be vested
by the law in the Governor in Council. The law must re-
cognise no other• authority in the State. The Company may,
and ought to, instruct the Gevernor in Council—first, to
leave all matters of discipline solely and exclusively to the
Commander-in-Chief, and to interfere in them in no man-
ner, excepting when the safety of the State should require it;
secondly, that all recommendations to military appointments,
such as the staff officers of the army to commissions, promo-
tions in the army of persons—civil or military—to fill the
departments of the army, and the inferior commands, should
be made by the Commander-in-Chief to the Governor in
Council. The Governor in Council should be obliged to
record his reasons for dissent. Thirdly, the recommenda-
•tions to superior command, such as divisions of the army,
should be with the Commander-in-Chief when the holders
of these commands exercise no civil authority,or political
function ; and that, in the case of a nomination to a higher
command being vested exclusively in the Governor in
Council, without the recommendation of the Commander-
in-Chief, the Governor should be directed to consult with
the Commander• in-Chief in making the selection. It
would be very desirable to leave a latitude by law to the
Governor in Council to promote officers for meritorious ser-
vices, at the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief,
out of the usual regular routine, as well as to pass over offi-
cers guilty of misconduct. This might be done by giving
the Governor in Council the power to promote such officers,
by brevet in the first instance, who should succee d to the
first vacancies in the rank in which they should have been
promoted in the regiment to which they should belong."
I have read the whole of that opinion, ',and it will be ob -
served that the three main conditions which, in the Duke
of Wellington's opinion, should be carried into effect are
that the European army should be the Queen's, that the
armies of the three Presidencies should be distinct, and that
the supreme authority of the Governor-General should be
recognised. I must deny that this is exclusively an Indian
question, and I maintain that both on Indian and on Im-
perial grounds the course to pursue is that upon which the
Government has resolved. It is quite true that the mutiny
of the Seyoys is over, and that tranquillity is restored ; but
I confess that there are still some grounds for solicitude.
The confidence which once prevailed is shaken, and, what
is still more alarming, I am afraid that there is considerable
estrangement between the races. Therefore it is essential,
in the first place, to put on a footing which cannot bo
shaken our military superiority. The rebellion' was put
down by the unparalleled bravery of our forces, and we
have vindicated and established our superiority ; but I
hold that that must be maintained so potent and evident
that none shall question the efficiency of our arms. (Hear,
hear.) lam far from meaning that we should not endea-
vour to make use of conciliatory means. We are bound
to show the natives that we are their friends and benefac-
tors, and that they would lose by a change. I believe that
such a course of proceeding is essential to the maintenance
of our power in India. lam anxious, however, not to
place everything upon mere force, or upon the authority of
the Government, but to depend likewise upon measures of
improvement and upon the influence of reason. Still to be
able to act in this way they must feel, and we must feel,
that we are not to be shaken in our military ascendancy.
It must be felt that our rule is fixed, so that we may be
enabled to extend those blessings to India which I believe
it is our destiny to confer. This we should do, not only
for Indian, but also for Imperial reasons ; for the evil
which falls on India must be felt in this country. In the
last mutiny how much English blood was shed, and what a
great strain India became upon the resources of England I
It is upon England in case of emergency that the pressure
must come; therefore, it is only fair, right, and just that
we should put our army in India in a state of the greatest
possible discipline and efficiency, and constitute it in such
a manner as to enable it to be prepared, as far as human
foresight can do so, to prevent the possibility of the recur-
rence of such a calamity as we have lately experienced. I
hope the house will concur in the plan which is now pro-
posed by the Government, and I beg to move for leave to
bring in a bill to repeal so much of the Act of the 22d -and
23d of Victoria, cap. 27, as enables the Secretary of State
for India to raise men for her Majesty's local European
forces in India.

Mr. H. SEYMOUR and Lord STANLEY simultaneously
rose to move the adjournment of the debate.
Sir C. WOOD suggested that he might be permitted to
introduce the bill to-night, and that the discussion might
be taken on the second reading.
After some conversation it was ultimately arranged that
the debate should be adjourned, and the debate was accord»
ingly adjourned to Thursday week.

PASSING TOLLS.
Mr. FENWICK obtained leave to bring in a bill to
abolish passing tolls.

BURIAL-GROUNDS ACT.
Mr. H. HERBERT obtained leave to bring in a bill to
amend the Burial-ground (Ireland) Act, 1856.
The Councillors of Burghs and Burgesses (Scotl93o) Bill
was read a third time and passed.
The house adjourned at 1 o'clock.