The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-16 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST

SIR JOHN LAWRENCE, BART., G.C.B.

Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence, G.C.8., Chief Commis-
sioner of the Punjaub, who has been emphatically styled
the man who has saved India during the recent mutiny, is a
brother of the late lamented Sir Henry Lawrence, K.C.8.,
who was killed in the siege of Lucknow.
This pair of distinguished officers of the Honourable East
India Company's service are of Irish blood and extraction
—like Wellington, Wellesley, M`Naghten, and a host of
other distinguished names—and they are children of whom
the sister island may well feel proud. Their careers have
run to the last most wonderfully parallel to each other, and
we may add that they have been followed at no long distance
from each other by a third brother, though one less known
to public fame, Col. George St. Patrick Lawrence, 2d
8.L.C., at present holding a command in Rajpootana. Of
this family, the late Sir Henry Lawrence was one of the
elder sons, and Sir John Lawrence one of the youngest.
Their father was the late Lieut.-Col. Alexander Lawrence,
an officer of the King's service, sometime Governor of
Upnor Castle, aad who gained considerable distinction in
the Mysore campaigns, under the Marquis Cornwallis, and
in the siege of Seringapatam. Their mother—a second
Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi—was a daughter of the
late Captain Knox, a member of a highly respectable family
of the north of Ireland, which long held landed property in
the county of Donegal.
Sir John Lawrence was born in India in 1810, and re-
ceived his early education, like his brother, in Londonderry,
and subsequently at the East India College, Haileybury.
He obtained his nomination to India as a writer, April 30,
1829, and. was sworn in on the following 3d of June. On the
Ist of July he received notification of his actual appoint-
ment, and arrived on February 9, 1830. In the early part
of his career, in January, 1831, he became assistant to the
chief commissioner and resident at Delhi; in December,
1833, we find him promoted to the post of officiating magis-
trate and collector at Delhi; from which, a year later, he
was transferred to a similar appointment at Paniput. In
July, 1833, be was appointed joint magistrate and deputy
collector of Goorgaon and the southern division of Delhi,
and in the November of the same year, officiating magis-
trate of the southern division only. In 1838 he was trans-
ferred to the sole charge of Goorgaon. Before the close of
the same year we find him conducting the settlement duties
in Zillah Etawah. In February, 1840, he proceeded to
Europe on the usual furlough, and did not return to India
until December, 1812.
Up to this time Mr. Lawrence had been almost exclu-
sively engaged in the collection of revenue; and, owing,
probably to the absence of great opportunities, his value
and ability were little known except to his immediate su-
periors. By them, however, we know that he was duly ap-
preciated from the first. Having held one or two tem-
porary employments, in 1846 we find him already engaged
as judge, magistrate, and collector, over the important din •
ttict of the central division of Bengal, when his adminis-
trative ability attracted the attention of the Governor-
General, Sir Henry Hardinge. It was not long before he
had an opportunity given of making for himself a
name. In 1841 he was appointed to the important
post of Commissioner of the Trans-Sutlej provinces, which
had been recently added to our Indian empire, as the
result of the Sikh campaigns. Here he had new ground
to break up, and a chaos of disorder and confusion, political,
fiscal, and agricultural, to reduce into system, shape, and
form. In this work he showed a masterly power of admi-
nistration, and a perseverance, energy, and industry which
were beyond all praise. Nor was he long in looking for
his reward in the shape of promotion to a more important
and better paid, and (what he valued more highly still) a
more laborious post. As our readers will doubtless remem-
ber, the assassination of the British envoys in 1848, at
Mooltan, the capital of a petty State between the Indus and
the Sutlej was followed by the capture of that fortress, and the
subsequent union of the forces of Shere Singh apd-Ctiucker
Singh. After a long and obstinate contest, the Sikhs and
Affghans were finally crushed by Lord Gough at Ferozepore
and Chilliauwallah, and surrendead into our bands. The
issue was, that the Affghans were obliged to fly beyond the
Indus, the Sikh forces were disbanded, and the Punjaub
was declared by Lord Dalhousie as thenceforth annexed to
the British territories in India. Of course, on the annexa-
tion of a new province, the first step on the part of the
Governor-General is to look arouad for a'tnan of first-rate
ability in an administrative point of view to bring the newly-
acquired territory under British laws and British rule. The
functions of a Resident are naturally ipso facto at an end
when a native prince is deprived of his throne, and it is
usual to Invest the new magistrate 'with the title and office
of chief commissioner, in which capacity he becomes directly
responsible, as we have already said, to the Governor-General
of India himself, instead of to one of his subordinate gover-
nors of presidencies. Sir Henry Lawrence had already
filled the post of British Resident. at Lahore, and he and his
brother, Mr. John Lawrence were nominated as two out of
the three members of the board fire the administration of the
Punjaub.

reformed, a new coinage was introduced, and the roads and
canals, designed in the previous year, were actually com-
menced, to say nothing of a new system of excise being fully
established. The consequence of these efficient services was,
that at the end of the second year the board were able to
report to the Governor-General that " the entire British
system and its institutions were thoroughly introduced into
the Punjaub." The !nerd add the following comment :
" The two first years were years of originating, the third
year ha.l been.rather one of perfecting;" and they conclude by
referring to the appendix to the report all who desire to know
the step bywhich the general administration had been advanced
up to the point at which it then stood. To give a detailed
'account of these results, equally solid and splendid in their
character, would be to give an epitome of an East Indian
" Blue Book," of upwards of 300 pages, including many im-
portant tables—a task which we spare inflicting on ourselves
or our readers—the more willingly &lade Indian "Blue
Books" are printed at present without a marginal summary.
Lord Dalhousie, in a minute dated July 9, 1833 (for
which we regret that we have not space), speaks of this report
as a "most able, clear, full, and interesting document, given
in a tone of conscious success, and marked by a most hopeful
spirit." In 1849 his lordship expressed a " confident hope"
that the Punjaub would turn out a most profitable possession;
and the results have not belied his hopes ; for, in the very
first year after its annexation, the revenue of the Punjaub
(after paying all expenses of government and msnagement)
showed a surplus of 52 lass, and rose in the second year to
64 lace of rupees.

The rest of Sir John Lawrence's career is too fresh in our
readers' memories to need repeating here. We may, how-
ever, mention that, in 1856, he was made a K.C.B. in re-
ward of his services as Commissioner of the Punjaub, and
was advanced to the dignity of a G.C.B. last year for his
zeal, intrepidity, and energy in supporting his deceased
brother and the military authorities in suppressing the
Indian mutiny. He is now further rewarded with a
baronetcy, and a seat by nomination of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, in the new Indian Council, in which capacity he
will enjoy a salary of £1,200 a-year.
The following " Order in Council," recently issued by
Lord Canning, will speak for itself :—" The Governor-
General la Council will not postpone his grateful acknow-
ledgment of the services which have been rendered to the
empire at this juncture by the Chief Commissioner of the
Punjaub. To Sir John Lawrence it is owing that the army
before Delhi, long ago cut off from all direct support from
the Lower Provinces, has been continually recruited and
strengthened so effectually as to enable its commander not
only to maintain his position unshaken, but to achieve a
great success. To Sir John Lawrence's unceasing vigilance,
and his energetic and judicious use of the trustworthy force
at his disposal, it is due that Major-General Wilson's army
has not been harassed or threatened on the side of the Pun-
jaub, and that the authority of the Government in the
Punjaub itself has been sustained and generally respected."
It will probably be remembered that in November last
Sir John Lawrence, when he received the distinction of the
Grand Cross of the Bath, at the same time received the
thanks of Parliament by resolution of both houses. Shortly
afterwards a despatch was sent out by the directors of the
.Est India Company directing that his salary of £7,"200 a-
year as Chief Commissioner should be increased to the same
amount as that of Lieutenant-Governor, namely, £lO,OOO
a-year, and that its receipt should date from the Ist Jan.,
1838. These circumstances show that the distinguished and
valuable services of Sir John Lawrence have lot been over-
looked, though the nation will not think that his services
have been adequately rewarded until they are crowned with
a peerage; and it is generally expected that a peerage is in
store for him when the Indian mutiny has 1-cen fairly
quelled, and Lord Canning has been advanced to an earl-
dom.

We learn from Hardwicke's "Shilling Knightage " that
Sir John Lawrence married, in 1842, a daughter of the late
Rev. It. Hamilton.—Court Circular.

MEMOIR OF THE CAVALIER E MA S SIM 0

D'AZEGLIO.

The name of Cavaliere Massimo d'Azeglio is so familiar to
our readers that we think they will be glad to find in our
columns the following masterly sketch of M. d'Azeglio's
political life. We extract it from the book recently published
by Signor Chiala, " Une Page du Gouvernement Repre-
sentatif en Piemont." The author is a young man of
great talent, and considered to be one of the eminent poli-
tical writers of Piedmont, and this work is certainly one of
the most interesting that has appeared in that country on
political matters, and on this account we hope now to see a
translation of the whsle work.
After giving a history of the political party known in
Piedmont as the Centro Sinietro, Signor Chiala
thus speaks of Massimo d'Azeglio, the eminent writer,
and, at the same time, painter, poet, and statesman.
On the fall of the democratic Ministry, after the defeat of
Novara, the King Victor Emmanuel called to the presi-
deuce of his first Cabinet M. le General de Lannay, a

Some slight idea of the labours of this board of commis- senator of the kingdom, a man who in public opinion was
sioners may be formed from a :statement which we gather considered to be a greater partizan of the ander:. regime
from their report on the Punjaisle (p. 15), and which gives than of the new state of things. Those who knew this
the superficial area of the country at about 50,400 square honest Savoi.lien well judged him differently. M. de
miles, and its length and breadth 344 miles and 293 miles Lsenay considered, in fact, the Parliamentary system as
respectively. It contains four daabs or provinces, and em- indispensable to our country at this period. Few Ministers
braces every varietyof country, from the most luuxriant cul- have shown more dignity and firmness than he did, as was
tivation to the most sandy dese et, t, and the wildest prairies proved in his relations with Austria. Nevertheless, in poll-
of grass and brushwood. Its p ovulation is partly military tical affairs one must mot always follow one's personal con-
andpartly agricultural ;of vario toi races and religious creeds; vietioes, though good and just, but a little those of the pub-
and our readers may be intere st ad in knowing that, as a lic—as'M. Capefigue observes in his biography of Prince
nation, " they hated every dynes ity except their own, and polignac, a measure must be considered less as to its
regarded the British as the won 4 , because the most power- abstract right than by the result it would have on public
ful of usurpers." Under Rurtj, eet Singh, the adminis- opinion. Thus, when Charles X., in 1830, thought of
tration was as bad as it won. could be. Written law making an Administration, after perceiving the
there was none, though a rude id aid of justice was dealt out. weak tendency of the Ministry of M. de Martig-
The unwritten penal code cons tained only two penalties, nac, his fault was in believing that good and upright
fine and mutilation ; and there rv as scarcely any crime, from intentions sufficed. When a power is organised
larceny up to murder, for whi impunity could not be it should take even prejudices into account. No one can
purchased by a money payment. The provincial governors brave public opinion with impunity, no more in govern-
who, meats than in families. The wise King Victor Emmanuel
farmed the taxes were arbi iry and unchecked; and
as the pay of their inferior offii da Is was uncertain and pre- recognised the truth of these facts. He thanked M. de
carious, the latter were, of con re e, driven and ',almost ex- Lannay for his services and his good intentions, and he
petted to live on what they coulld extort. More especially brought to the presidence of his Council a man who in him-
one of his generals, named Avata bile, held down Peshawar self alone constituted a programme—M. d'.&zeglio. It was
with a rod of iron, enforcing re Draconic code in which in the first days of May, 1849. The simple announcement
hanging was decreed for every cri me from murder down to of such a nomination sufficed to make Piedmont feel, as it
larceny; whilst. another, Murree:; Singh, summarily decapi- were, freed from a tie, and with new breathing power; as
tated his criminals or blew t hem from the cannon's Madame de Steel significantly says—it was the rainbow after
mouth. Such was the state c f things when, in 1845, a frightful and dark storm. Confidence succeeded to defiance.
the British Government first interfered in the inter- We had an assurance of prosperity and a good future. On
nal administration of the co stry, with the view of the part of M. d'Azeglio it was an act of devotion to his
modifying and preserving the e xisting constitution, and country, an abnegation of himself for the general good. The
only forcing the Sikh rulers to carry out their dominion author of " Lutti di Lombardia," the soldier of Vicenza, was
with moderation. Much had 1 een done in the two follow- called by his King to sign the treaty of peace with Austria.
ing years by the late Sir H. Lawrence to ameliorate the Such a man could not admit the conditions of this treaty,
condition of the people, who, I n 1847, assembled at Lahore but he could have the courage to submit to them; and
50 Sikh elders, heads of elllag le, to frame a simple code of he did so. We do not know in modern history
laws for the guidance of their people. Under his superin- another example of a greater sacrifice, if it were not that
tendence the resources of the 1 tiogdom were examined, and which, in 1816, the Duke de Richelieu gave in almost similar
their development studied ; Pia tit ,s were formed for the con- circumstances. That statesman had refused to sign the
struction of new canals, there' to it of old ones, the re-open- comiitions of the Treaty of Paris. The King, Louis XVIII.,
lug of ruined wells, and the ite -peopling of deserted vii- who saw the Chambers, upon the point of opening, ready
lager. Sir H. Lawrence lean for this special work an to call him to account for his sterile intervention for the
engineer officer of high rank it nd experience, and three pacification of the country, and saw, on the other hand,
lacs from the revenue were set stq cart for the same purpose Austria, Prussia, Holland, the Powers of the Rhine, de-
by the council. But all these fair prospects were inter- stroy his people under the devastations of 80,000 men, sent
rupted by the rebellion of 1848 e and the campaign already M. Decases one night for the Duke de Richelieu. The
alluded to, which ended in the at !lactation of 1849. King's tears fell on the hands of his first Minister while he
The first step undertaken by tte e board (Sir H. Lawrence, asked of him the sacrifice of that which is dearest to a man
Sir John Lawrence, and Mr. :Tserah), on receiving their of honour, his name. The Duke de Richelieu left, after the
plenary powers, was to appoin it au executive staff of civil interview with his unfortunate master, softened and con-
officers, and to cause a thorou tgh Investigation to be made quered. He had signed. It is pleasing to be able to unite
into the rights of such lands a s claimed to be free tenures, these two names—Massimo d'Azeglio and Armand de Riche-
and to settle a complicated fist al system. They next pro- lieu—two names which alone suffice to honour the class to
ceeded to enforce for civil judic, HI, an the rules current in the which they belong—two names which, In erer century, are
Sutlej provinces, as being "Ca iculated to ensure sub- remarkable for loyalty, honour, and dignity. We shall not
et antial justice unfettered
legal technicalities." examine here the successive acts of the lahnistryof Mel'Azeglio;
Next came the settlement of a new penal code, and we have had the opportunity of showing them forth in the
the organisation of a body of s police for the purpose course of this study, and they speak for themselves. The
of disarming the people, and t he dismantling of forts impression they leave on the mind of those who examine
and strongholds, which only SE rved as the fastnes&S them can only be favourable to him who accomplished them.
of thieves and freebooters. And, la; ;tly, the resources of Owe M. d'Azeglio never placed himself as a statesman, as a skil•
country had to be developed. Ti arle, agriculture, and com-
merce were to be fostered. Sure .eys had to be made, canals ful politician, or as a great administrator. Were we to
I p.iint out that if he did not possess all these advantages in
to be cut, levels to be taken, an. i rola& constructed. The tun eminent degree, at least he possessed those which were
mineral resources of the Alpine _regions bordering on the es eeesttal, he would care but little for our praise.
Himalayas had to be explored, and T. the internal conatnunica- 14 'seen cool' the reins of government, he had no pre-
tion by navigation of the rivers hr &to be opened up. In ad- tensions when he Abandoned them, it never occurred toould be said had done so to satisfy these pre-
dition to this it was found illness' ir.y by the board to disband him that it
the Sikh soldiery, though ma iy of them subsequently tensions. His
saole vssas always that of direc,ing an
entered the British service, while t they were empowered administration wit)] probity, • `4YOiIY, and with honour. lle
it to raise an irregular force conisis ing of ten regiments— treated politics as an artist. es (tarried an aesthetic tact
five of cavalry and five of infantry— for the protection of the linto a domain wlnre ft had rarely
t`ian felt. His Me the
Western frontier. As to the resul• is of these movements, I system of Lamartine—will d
pru ence
`lO wisdom supers
we may state that, within the first year, the administration added.
of the country was reported to tie e Governor-General as M. d'Azeglio would never have been a mat.j`?"v
;+
wrtiht;
having been "fairly set in trai a "—civil and criminal ten the memorial of Mazarin to the Queen
ee 1.4'; iii or
e
courts having been established, rand no less than 8,000 decapitation of Charles 1., nor to have gi yen f°l:l' ti;°
marauders and other offenders ha rag been lodged in cus- maxim " That the laws of honour and't Vtiee
tody. During this time a new syst 2E4 of excise and customs should da anything contrary to those ofj Prudence."
was projected, submitted to Gayer =cut' and carried into No, he never would have understood the strong Polities of
effect, municipal and conservancy arangeivients were made, the Italian Cardinal, based on the sole fear th it the bugle
attention was paid to public i niproveutents, scientific ness • the Queen not
he was propoang to of Prance oho be
manedneelodrin theali
directions
eionDs otialrbouCgahnatbl
surveys were conducted for the e•teat road to Peshawur • productive, and who never could have comprehe sd that
,e 4 gaudac o .country, terrtyasss Drouardisn gcotrnh ording
t- sonetchoenlidiadp:pSyllOrlex7resisleiornselof
of ii.
Netts,
nt.
succeeding year the entire curre eq of the. Punjaub was d'Azeglio would rather lave been that. Viscou 'Vela'