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
sate 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
Xasnborough 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 curses. 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 sta'esmanship. But after
the resignation of Lord Ellenborough one of two courses
mast 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 turn 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 opi-
nion. The important papers which had been received
that morning bad 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 hie motion,
he thought I right to state that the perusal of those
papers had 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 be made these observations. But it was
obvious that everybody in this country and in India
would consider these debates as affirming or conciemnieg
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 right or wrong, would hesitate to give an opinion,
and many of those who shared his opinion, that he was
right , would vote with the Government they supported.
On the other haul a great number of members on these
benches believe it is right to vote with the Government.
Why Because they think Lord Canning wrong. 8.2.-
sauce they disapprove of the proclamation. Becauee
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. (Elear.) Although the coun-
try and the people of India may believe that we are de-
ciding the policy or impolicy of the proclamation, we
shall, in fact, be deciding on nothing of the kind. (Hear.)
I appeal to the right hon. gentleman, not in any pary
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 L nl
Cunning'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 ie
withdrawing the motion. Hon. gentlemen opposite may
be unwilling that it should be withdrawn. (Partial
sheering from the Minis erial side of the house.) I can
perftetly feel that it should be withdrawn. But I cannot
help thinking that my appeal is fair and horourable, and
that we shout I not send f tell a judgment of the conduct
of Lord Canning which is influencei by in iny motives
beyond a belief whether his conduct is right or wrong.
I neon -4 think that hon. gentlemen, either on this or on
the other side of the house, will throw any cbstacle in
the way of the withdra eat of the motion. (Cheers.)
Jr. BOWYER—I am anxious to add my voice to
that of the boo. gentleman, and to appeal to the right
bon. gentleman not to persevere with his motion. (Oh,
oh, and cheers.) I think we might be much mere use
fully employed than in discussing this motion. I eel),
perhaps be told with reference to these papers, which
appear to me to have an important bearing on the que,-
tion—l may be told that there is the opinion of Sir J.
Ou'ram on the one side and that a Lord Canning on the
other. But. I ask the house to remember who is Sir J.
Outram. He is on the spot, and is responsible for that
pa-t of the country. That being the case, a strong
opinion expressed by Sir J. Oatram on the impolicy of
the proclamation ought, at least for the purpose of in-
suring greater deliberation, to be conclusive—(hear)—
and I thick 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 as to the effect ( f
the proclamation than any other individual whatever.
For this reason I join my voice with that of the hon.
member for Hull, and request the right hon. gentle-
man to withdraw his motion. (Cheers.)
Mr. CARDWELL—AIthough there is, in point t f
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 see 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 f sir
and straightforward sours 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
rs;slead 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 sti'l -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 aff.tc log our Indian empire, and even
the stability of the British empire, I think the matter
ought not t) 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 fol:owing re-
solution : —"That in the opinion of this house the pro-
clamation of the Governor General of India, pronouncing
the confi-cation 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
premote the pacification of that country, and ought not
be 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 factions
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 bas a perfect
right to give me an answer or not, just as he pleases,
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 beard 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 YNGHA M—l 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. GRIFFITH and Mr.
LTGON, relative to the letters of the 6th of March and
the 20th of February.

Lord PALIIERSTON said—l can only repeat What
I stit'ed before, that when my right hon. friend showed
me the passages in the letter] referred to, it did not
ocour to me to suggest to him that there was anything
in them requiring transmission to the Government, but
I now regret baying given my opinion. (Cheers.)
who
. T. DUNCOMBE—A great number of members
.I:n.intended to support the motion now wish the right
101
an& gentleman to withdraw it. But he refuses to do
house, latthdese_h_a_n.cfallor of . t.he. Exchequer presses the
evening.
ta444‘olllt, a division must take place this
it is competent for to
th the debate
I don't know whether
tniel%To, no.")
but if I am not out of
order I will more thats be resumed on the
28. b, when the hone re-assembles. (Oh, oh.) Why
not.? The motion pronounces no opinion
ClaillatiOrt. It goes on to censure th
ur on
the
pr'
But we Weet something more thance Government.
the motion au honest vote of censure it "Leg. 4To n?a,, e
t to Fon
elude in this manner :—" And rendering bil,r me
present Government unworthy ence
of the confid "Y'l
of.tiii4
house." I would put it to you who
her you can on_
shade the debate to night ? (" Yes, yes," "No, 0.,,)
I believe that if the right hop. gentle-93n bad bee in
possession of the information which is now beforei the
house be would never have moved the reaolutiot....-
(hear, hear) —and would hare raida use of totally dd.