The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-21 00:00:00

L 01W

GYRE AND GENERAL SIR J.
OUTRAM IN THE CITY.

Yesterci ay, at 2 o'clock, a Court of Common Coun-
cil, at whit the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor pre-
sided, was specia.ay convened at Guildhall, for the
purpose of prenr
,nting the freedom of the City of
London to Gent rat Lord Clyde and Lieut.-Gen. Sir
James Outran) in person, in grateful recognition
of their distill' guished military services by the citi-
zens at laxge. . The presence of men so renowned,
and whose later career is inseparably identified
with recent .; events of such commanding interest,
lent to tl:w. ceremony unwonted attraction, and the
Council-cl.arnber in which it took place was densely
crowded ou the occasion. The whole of the members
of the C Ammon Council were present to a man, and
the gr, inter part of them, resigning their seats for
the ac' Jommodation of the host of ladies who were
in att voidance, stoodin a compact mass on the floor
of th,e ,chamber throughout the proceedings. The
menabe rs of the Court of Aldermen, wearing each
his scarlet robe of office, mustered in proportionate
numbers, and among them were Sir Robert Carden,

Sir John Musgrove, Sir Henry Muggeridge, and
Messrs. Salomons, Hale, Humphery, Lawrence,
Challis, Finnis, Mechi, Conder, Phillips, and James
Lawi,ence. The Sheriffs, Alderman Abbisa and Mr.
Lusk./ with the Under-Sheriffs, were also present,
as w as also Mr Commissioner Kerr and all the minis-
teri: ji officers of the Corporation.
About half-past one o'clock—earlier than was
anticipated—Lord Clyde, attended by Colonel Met-
calfe and Colonel Norman, officers of his staff,
arrived at Guildhall, followed by General Outram,
who was accompanied by Lady Outram and Mr.
Outram, their son. They were first conducted to
the chamber of the Court of Aldermen, and as they
pa ssed across the hall on their way were warmly
greeted by the crowd assembled there. Six com-
panies of the London Rifle Brigade, under the joint
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hicks and Major
Alderman Rose, and attended by their band, were
posted in the open space in front of Guildhall, as a
guard of honour; and the boys belonging to the
Cadet Corps of the brigade limed the lobby stretch-
ing, from the hall to the Council Chamber.
Shortly before 2 o'clock the Lord Mayor took the
chair, and immediately aftewards Lord Clyde and

Sir James Outram, each of whom wore the uniform
of a general officer, were introduced to the Court by
Mr. Charles Reed, Alderman Conder, and Mr. Dol-
lond, the mover and seconders of the resolutions
conferring the freedom. As they entered, and took
the seats assigned them on the left of the chief ma-
gistrate, they were greeted with an enthusiastic
and prolonged cheer. General Outram appeared
in extremely delicate health. The Lady Mayoress,
Lady Outram, and Mrs. Metcalfe occupied seats near
the distinguished Generals. Mr. Woodthorpe, the
Town-clerk, then read the subjoined resolutions,
unanimously agreed to by the Court of Common
Council on the 7th October, 1858, during the
Mayoralty of Sir Robert Carden :
" That the freedom of the city, with a sword of
the value of 100 guineas, be presented to the Right
Hon. Baron Clyde, Commander-in-Chief of her Ma-
jesty's forces in the East Indies, in testimony of the
distinguished services he has rendered to this coun-
try, and particularly for his operations at Lucknow,
which have resulted in the reduction and occupation
of that important position, the dispersion of the
rebel force from their great rallying point, and the
undoubted confirmation of the ascendancy of the
British arms."
(Cheers.) Again,

" That the freedom of this city, with a sword of
the.value of 100 guineas, be presented to Lieutenant-
General Sir James Outram, K.C.8., in testimony of
the signal services rendered by him in suppressing
mutiny and rebellion in the East Indies, and in
admiration of his high personal and public character,
exemplified through a long period of military ser-
vice in the East, as a brave, skilful, and patriotic
soldier."

(Cheers.) Official documents were also produced
by Mr. John Sewell, Clerk of the Chamber, indi-
cating that Lord Clyde and General Ontram had
been unanimously elected members of the Merchant
Taylors' Company. Then, on the invitation of
the Chamberlain, they severally read and sub-
scribed the declaration customary on admission to
the freedom. As Lord Clyde repeated the portion
of it which pledged the distinguished General, so
conspicuous for his devoted loyalty, to " Keep the
Queen's peace in his own person," the declaration
provoked some good-natured laughter. This cere-
mony over,

Mr. SCOTT, the Chamberlain, addressing Baron
Clyde, who remained standing,said,—My Lord,—lt
S a time-honoured and cherished custom with this
ancient corporation to inscribe on their roll of
honorary citizenship the names of men who, in the
various departments of civil or professional service,
have signalised themselves, and who have deserved
well of their country. Upon that roll it was their
privileges to record the names of Wellington, Beres-
ford, Stuart, Hill, and Graham, the distinguished
chiefs commanding in many a field memorable in
the Peninsular campaign ; and it is a significant
incident, and deeply interesting to this hon. Court,
that they meet this day to inscribe on the same list
the name of an officer who played a gallant though
subordinate part in the same campaign—(cheers)
—spared through half a century of honourable ser.
vice and military casualties to receive, at length
thanks and compliments similar to those bestowed,
long since upon his masters in the school of arms.
(Cheers.) Since the happy termination of the
great European struggle in 1815, your lordship
has improved the already distinguished reputa-
tion acquired in the Peninsula by services of
no mean order in various parts of the world, parti-
cularly in China and North-Western India, under
the leadership of the veteran Lord Gough. That
noble and gallant lord, who also stood in this court
to receive the well merited thanks of his fellow
citizens, delineated most critically your lordship's
military characteristics when he wrote home in
1848—" Brigadier-General Colin Campbell, with
that steady coolness and military precision for
which he is so remarkable, carried everything be-
fore him." (Loud cheers.) With such antecedents,
my lord, and enjoying such a military reputation,
it was not surprising to find your lordship selected
far the command of a division in the Crimean cam-
paign. It is needless to repeat here, for it is already
matter of history, how and with what results your
lordship headed your gallant Highlanders at the
storming of the heights of Alma, nor is there occa-
aion remind any one of that thin red line whose
solidite admirable impressed our gallant allies, and
excited the just pride of the British army, as they
beheld it withstand the shock of war, and hurl
back the surges of Russian cavalry at Balaklava.
(Cheers.) It is, however,
s, however, to your lordship's
crowning services as Commander-in-Chief of her
Majesty's forces in India that the resolution of this
hon. Court more*t arl icu y points ; to the lextra-
ordinary promptitude displayed by your lordship
in assuming
that command when an hour's delay
might have imperilled ont supremacy in India; to
the unfaltering persistency with which your lord-
ship followed up the course of action adopted, and
the combined coolness, intrepidity, and caution
which insured uniform success in every
action until
revolt was crushed, and the mutiny brought to a
close. I will • not trust myself—for neither time
nor my own feelings will permit me—to speak of
the thrilling incidents connected with Istiekno_ic
and its beleagured Residency ; of the protssactedl
suspense of brave men and most heroic women
—(loud cheers)—through weary months of peril,
privations, and watchfulness ; of Inglis and
his undaunted garrison hoping against hope,
and never for a moment despairing of British
succour; of natives faithful amid the faithless; of
Havelock—(cheers)—and Outram, and its ever
memorable first relief; of Mansfield, and Peel, and
Baird, Greathed, Hope Grant, and Kavanagh; nor
will I attempt the narration of how your lordship,
at the head of your gallant little army, cut your
way through ranks of enemies 20 times the number
of your troops from Casvnpore to the Alumbagh,
and thence to the Residence of Lucknow, relieving
a second time, With masterly strategy, the heroic
garrison in the face of the whole army. (Cheers.)
It must suffice on this occasion to epitomize your
services by saying that your lordship was sent by
your Seveieign, and with the concurrence of, every
British subject, to reconquer a revolted Presidency,
and that, aided by the
gallant united British and

Indian armies, you succeeded, with the least pos-
sible effusion of human blood. (Cheers,) British
supremacy in India—being suddenly an unexp, c-
tedly assailed by an army of 100,000 men of our
own training, familiar with the scien fic resources
of war, possessed of fortified cities, ample maga-
zines, and an incredible store of ar n and artillery,
maintained a continued struggle, through seasons of
great severity, until 40,000 Europeans had fallen,
either on the field or in hospital, and for a moment
the fate of British India appeared to tremble in the
balance. In 20 months, however, from the out-
break Great Britain had recaptured every city, re-
conquered every province, reoccupied every station,
and had beaten every army, and pursued to de-
struction or dissolution every flying band of muti-
neers; and your lordship's name will ever be in-
separably connected with the attainment of these
results. (Cheers.) It was your lordship's reported
wish, on leaving our shores to assume the command
in India, " That yon might, by the blessing of God,
be enabled speedily to report the mutiny quelled,
and to return the sword into its scabbard never to
draw it again." (Cheers.) The former part of that
wish has been happily fulfilled, and in presenting
to your lordship the right hand of fellowship as a
citizen of London, and begging your acceptance of
a sword, I express, in the name of every member of
this corporation, an earnest hope that the latter part
of your lordship's desire may also find its accom-
plishment, and that, enjoying healthd venaendr belo callednglife,
you may rest upon your laurels, and
upon at the stern bidding of ruthless war to draw
frora its scabbard the sword we this day present to
you. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)
Lord CLYDE, taking the sword and bowing his
Lord Mayor and Gen-
tlemen,lythan I can express the
acknowledgments,
Ifeel more said—Mydeep
greatness of the double honour which you have
conferred upon me. As a freeman of this great and
illustrious city, I am proud to be enrolled on the
glorious list of those who have done good service to
their country. I accept with gratitude the mag-
nificent present which has now been placed in my
hands. At the age of 15 I was present with my
regiment at the battle of Vimieira. (Cheers.) You
will not expect a plain soldier, whose life since
then has been spent in the active service of his pro-
fession, to reply in adequate terms to the eloquent
and too flattering address of your Chamberlain.
(Cheers.) I have received at the hands of my gra-
cious Sovereign honours far beyond my deserts.
(No, no.) I receive the costly and beautiful sword
now presented to me in the name of the city of
London as a token of the favour and approbation
of the greatest and wealthiest city in the civilised
world, and to the last day of my life I shall prize
your gift beyond anything I possess. (Loud cheers.)
My words are but poor and feeble to express my
gratitude ; but, while endeavouring to convey my
thanks to you, allow me to call attention to the
noble courage and devotion which animated all
ranks in her Majesty's service, from the present
Commander-in-Chief in India and my gallant friend
beside me to the private soldier in the ranks.
(Cheers.) Nothing short of the untiring and deter-
mined exertions of all, from the highest to the
lowest, could have insured the success which you
have this day been pleased to recognise and reward.
An old and humble soldier of my country, I again
thank you, my Lord Mayor and Gentlemen, mem-
bers of the Corpoiation‘of London, for the great and
signal honour you have conferred upon me. (Loud
cheers.)

The CHAMBERLAIN, addressing General Outram,
whom the Lord Mayor, in consideration of his
feeble health, desired to resume his seat, said,—Sir,
—At the date of the resolution of this hon. Court
which we meet this day to carry into effect there
existed two branches of military service in India,
distinct as it regarded organization, and with an
individuality and history of their own, possessed,
nevertheless, of so many admirable features in com-
mon that they were justly regarded as twin ser-
vices. This hon. Court, having in its wisdom de-
termined to confer, in the person of the noble and
gallant lord, such honour as it might on the Bri-
tish army, resolved also to bestow a similar
compliment on yourself, as the best exponent and
embodiment of the varied excellencies which dis-
tinguished the late gallant Indian army. (Cheers.)
At the very outset of your career in connection with
that service we find you with only 200 men attack-
ing and utterly routing a force of 800 insurgents
strongly posted in the hill fortress of Mulair, thus
cutting short by one blow an insurrection which
caused considerable anxiety to the Indian autho-
rities. Immediately upon this success you
were selected by Governor Elphinstone for
the accomplishment of a task which few
would have been intrusted with, and fewer
still would have undertaken, it being gene-
rally esteemed impracticable—a task which the
future historian, taking a calm review of the past,
will, if I mistake not, select as the most remarka-
ble accomplishment of your eventful life ; I allude
to your subjugation and civilisation of the Bheels
of Candeish. (Cheers.) This most degraded race
of savages, apparently untameable, with a thirst
for blood in common with the tigers of their inac-
cessible jungles, regarding murder as a pastime,
and robbery as a sacred institution acceptable to
the infernal deities whom they were aecustomed
to propitiate with blood, with no single accomplish-
ment of civilisation, but an inveterate addiction to
the use of ardent spirits, became the terror and
the scourge of the fruitful province of Candeish,
. and constituted fir many years the " difficulty "
of the Government of India: The utter extermina-
tion of this race had been seriously suggested to,
• and entertained hy, the authorities, as the only
possible measure by which peace and security of
life could be obtained. The elevation, however,
of the degraded beings appeared to some minds a
practicable measure, and, if so, a more glorious
work than their extermination ; and of you, sir,
the proudest thing I can say on this occasion is
that the task, apparently hopeless to many, was
proposed to you for accomplishment, and that you
both accepted and performed it. (Hear, hear.)
Penetrating into their almost inaccessible fast-
nesses, you first convinced them of your power ;
then, sending back your troops, alone, unarmed,
and beyond the reach of human protection ; you
cast yourself upon their mercy; acting upon the
assumption that they were of the same blood
with ourselves, you ventured your life to con-
vince them of your generous intentions. (Cheers.)
Eliciting latent sympathies in their rugged na-
tures, you enthroned yourself in their affections,
obtained a moral ascendancy over their deeply
degraded hearts, and ultimately succeeded in
forming out of such materials a numerous,
well-disciplined, and efficient body of troops, the
loyal protectors of the peace and security they had
so long violated with impunity. (Renewed cheers.)
This success—a source of profound astonishment to
all who witnessed it—procured for you the most
complimentary expressions of thanks from every
branch of the Indian Government. It is impossible,
in the compass of a few minutes, adequately to
allude to all the varied services you have rendered
during 40 eventful years. Between the years 1840
and 1856 we find the Government of India con-
tinually 'availing themselves of your varied qualifi-
c:'..tions and vast experience in Indian affairs in a
great variety of capacities, both military and poli-
tical, and at the close of the latter year, the Home
Government having declared war against the Shah
oP If'el'sia, you were selected to command the expe-
dition despatched to effect a descent on the Persian
coast.
Arriving in camp in January, 1857—a year
so Memorable in India—your measures were do-
vised so
judiciously, and executed so energetically,
by the combined British
and Indian forces under
your command that all the demands of the British
Government were conceded, and the war terminated
by the spring of that year. But for this happy
prOmp •
titude of action neither
yourself, nor the
deeply-lamented Brigadier Havel
his devotedY
Havelock (hear, hear)
division, could, humanly
p
appeared in the plains of India satetakh;
—with
have
very crisis of the mutiny, to, hold in check rebel-
lion, to cover themselves with honour, and to find,
too many of them,
a soldier's grave. It must suf-
fice in alluding to the share which you had in the
relief and capture of Lucknow, and the suppression
of the mutiny, to affirm that where all acted
heroically, you were second to 110 one in ail the