The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-22 00:00:00

gentleman, I received notice of his intention to put his
question, I thought it right to communicate with my
late colleague, Lord Ellenborough, and he has autho-
rised me to say that at no time, to the best of his recol-
lection, had any such intimation been made to him.
(Hear, hear.) I beg to move that this house at its rising
do adjourn to Friday, the 28th inst.
Mr. CLAY said if the house would indulge him for a
few minutes he was anxious to make a few observations,
which, in point of fact, would be an appeal to the right
hon. gentleman the member for Oxford on the subject
of the motion which had engaged the attention of the
house for the last few nights. He might be permitted to
state that from the moment of the retirement of Lord
Ellenborongh he considered the motion to be inexpe-
dient, not that the merits of the case were altered, but
after the resignation of Lord Ellenborough he saw that
events must take one of two courses. Previous to that
resignation the motion was one which was due to the
dignity of the house with reference to an act of rashness
unparalleled in the history of statesmanship. But after
the resignation of Lard Ellenborough one of two courses
must be pursued—either the motion would be one of
mere party spirit, and that motion was one with which
many others besides gentlemen opposite and the majo-
rity of the country did not sympathise. If that was not
the course taken, the discussion must tura on the policy
of the despatch and the proclamation, as to which, as
was confessed by the hon. gentleman himself, the house
had not sufficient information on which to form an *pi-
nion. The important papers which had been received
that morning had made him more confident with regard
to the inexpediency of the motion. He was not
anxious to intrude on the house his own opinions,
but as he should conclude with an appeal to
the right hen. gentleman to withdraw his motion,
he thought 1 right to state that the perusal of those
papers bad confirmed him in the opinion that Lord
Canning's policy was right. He wished, however, for
more time to consider them ; but he thought that the
reasons given by Lord Canning were sufficient. It was
not, therefore, that he differed from the policy of Lord
Canning that he made these observations. But it was
obvious that everybody in this country and in India
would consider these debates as aErming or condemning
that policy, while there were, in fact, many more issues
of a different nature to be decided. Many gentlemen
'opposite, if asked whether the policy of Lord Canning
was rght or wrong, would hesitate to give an opinion,
anti many of those who shared his opinion, that he was
right , would vote with the Government they supported.
On the other hand a great number of members on these
benches believe it is right to vote with the Government.
Why ! Because they think Lord Canning wrong. Be-
cause they disapprove of the proclamation. Because
they conceive the despatch and its publication justified.
No ; but because they have no wish to see the Govern-
ment which lately sat on these benches moved from the
position they now occupy. (Hear.) Although the coun-
try and the people of India may believe that we are de-
ciding the policy or impolicy of the proclamation, we
uttall, in fact,. be deciding on nothing of the kind. (Hear.)
I appeal to the right hon. gentleman, not in any party
spirit, not to save a party from a victory which may be
so small as to be almost a defeat—(hear)—but I appeal
to him as the friend of Lord Canning not to place rd
Canning's reputation on an issue which unfairly repre-
sents the opinion of the country. (Cheers.) In what
way this may be done, consistently with the forms of the
house, I know not. There may be some difficulty in
withdrawing the motion. Hon. gentlemen opposite may
be unwilling that it shoeld be withdrawn. (Partial
cheering from the Ministerial side of the house.) I con
perfectly feel that it should be withdrawn. But I cannot
help thinking that my appeal is fair and honourable, and
that we should not send forth a judgment of the conduct
of Lord Canning which is influenced by many motives
beyond a belief whether his conduct is right or wrong.
I cannot think that bon. gentlemen, either on this or ore
the other side of the house, will throw any obstacle in
the way of the withdrawal of the motion. (Cheers.)
Air. BOWYER—I am anxious to add my voice to
that of the hon. gentleman, and to appeal to the right
bon. gentleman not to persevere with his motion. (Oh,

oh, and cheers.) I think we might be mach mere use-
fully employed than in discussing this motion. I may
perhaps be told with reference to these papers, which
appear to me to have an important bearing on the ques-
tion—l may be told that there is the opinion of Sir J.
Outram on the one side and that of Lord Canning on the
other. But I ask the honse to remember who is Sir J.
Oatram. He is on the epot, and is responsible for that
part of the country. That being the case, a strong
opinion expressed by Sir J. Outram on the impolicy of
the proclamation ought, at least for the purpose of in-
„ aUC LUUL,Uat I ‘L -
and I think the right hon. gentleman will show great
wisdom in not persevering with his motion in the face of
the opinion of Sir J. Outram, who is the person chiefly
concerned, and who must know more ae to the effect cf
the proclamation than any other individual whatever.
For this reason I join my voice with that of the bon.
member for Hull, and request the right hon. gentle-

man to withdraw his motion. (Cheers.)
Mr. CARDWELL—AIthough there is, in point of
form, a motion before the house, I do not think it would
be right in me to do more than to avail myself of it,
simply for the purpose of answering the appeal which
has been made to me. No information has reached me
which informs me that any change has taken place in the
state of affairs. I seo nothing in the despatches to in-
duce me to change my opinion, and I cannot think that
it would be wise, or that it would be regarded as a fair
and straightforward course on my part, if I would do
more than say that I think it right my motion should
go on.

Sir DE L. EVANS—I entirely concur in the first part
of the proposition of the hon. member for Hull, that the
issue of the motion now before the house will entirely
mislead the country and the people of India. (Hear.)
I think also that it will be most unsatisfactory to Lord
Canning. (Hear, hear.) It will be still more unsatisfac-
tory as regards the great interests of this country.
(Cheers.) As the right hon. gentleman does not think

fit to withdraw his motion, and as I consider this is a

question strongly affecting our Indian empire, and even
the stability of the British empire, I think the matter
ought not to be left in doubt in any way whatever, and
I therefore beg to give notice of a motion which I think
will meet the case. (Cheers.) Immediately after the
recess I purpose to submit to the house the following re-
solution :—" That in the opinion of this house the pro-
clamation of the Governor General of India, pronouncing
the confiscation to the British Government of the pro-
prietary rights in the soil of the numerous population of
the province of Oude, is not equitable, nor calculated to
promote the pacification of that country, and ought not
to be carried into effect." (Cheers.)
Mr. DRUMMOND—Whenever hon. gentlemen on
this side of the house brought forward factious motions
in order by a sidewind to weaken the late Government,
I invariably voted with them and against the factious
motion, and shall do so on the present occasion. I
should not have risen on the present occasion but for
some words which have dropped from the right hon.
gentleman the member for Oxford. He has a perfect
right to give me an answer or not, just as he pisses,,,
and I admit the folly of putting questions upon re•
ports ; but I certainly was much surprised at the in
dignation with which the proposal to withdraw the
motion was received, because I had heard that he bad
previously manifested an intention of withdrawing it. I
wish to ask the right hon. gentleman if that report is
correct? (Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. CARDWELL—The hon. member has been en-
tirely misinformed. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CON YNGHAM—I understand the motion before
the house to be a vote of censure on the Government. ,
That censure I am prepared to vote for. (Cheers and
laughter.) Ido not think the Government ought to be
carried on on the principle of limited liability. (Oh, oh,
and laughter.)
In reply to questions by Mr. GROWTH' and Mr.
LIGON, relative to the letters of the 6::11 of March and
the 20th of February.

Lord PALMERSTON said—l can only repeat what
I stated before, that when my right hon. friend showed
me the passages in the letters referred to, it did not
occur to rue to suggest to him that there was anything
in them requiring transmission to the Government, but
I now regret having given my opinion. (Cheers.)
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE —A great number of members
vsllo intended to supp rt the motion now wish the right
bon,
i gentleman to withdraw it. But he refuses to do
I:),:uttliend the Chanc.llor of the Exchequer presses the
and Rays that a division must take place this
evening. (Cries of "No, no.") I don't know whether
it is competent for me to do so, but if I am not out of
order I will move that the
debate be resumed on the
28A1, when the hon„
re (Oh, oh.) Why
not I The motion pronounces-"mbsnoaeeiasul the Governtretit.
en.pkion on the pr, -
Butre
cia
mwatei°:a.ntlatomg(e'etshinog n tomorec than censure. To al, e
the motion an honest vote of censure .tou h te
t tioeactyon,s-
clad@ in this manner :—" And rendering her m
present Government unworthy of the confidence
of
this
house." I would put it to you whether you can
con-
clude the debate to-night ? (" Yes, yes," No,
n 0.,,)
I believe that if the right hon. gentleman had been in
possession of the information which is now before the
house he would never have moved the resolution—.
(hear, hear)—and would have made use of totally dif.