The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-09 00:00:00

Henry Lawrence was a man whose great services we all
know. (Hear.) He held for many years distinguished
positions in the civil and military service, and he was one
whose loss every one must deplore. (Hear, hear ) General
Nicholson—(hear)--was an officer of the greatest merit,
whose services, if he had lived, would have been of the
greatest value to his country. Sir Hugh Wheeler—(hear)
—who in the midst of his arduous efforts to defend Cawn-
pore lost his life, was one of those who, if ho had been 'pre-
served, would been enabled to perform important services.
Then I need only mention the name of General Havelock
—(hear)--to remind the house of the loss which the country
has sustained, and of the deep grief and lamentation with
which his loss has been received by the country. (Hear,
hear.) General Neill—(hear)—was an officer whose loss
must be deeply felt. (Hear.) Lieutenant Willoughby—
(hear)—was distinguished early in these events by the
daring act of blowing up the magazine at Delhi, and who,
having escaped from that danger, afterwards fell a victim
either to disease or to the enemy. Lieut. Salkeld's—(hear)
—name is prominently distinguished for heading the bold
achievement of blowing open the gates of Delhi, in com-
pany with Lieutenant Howe, both of whom unfortunately
fell. There are many others who fell whose names I could
mention, but which I forbear from adding to the
painful list ; but whilst referring to those who still live,
we do not forget those who have perished in this war, and
we associate their memory with the bitter recollection of
what brilliant services they might have performed for their
country if they had survived. There is one consolation io
the matter, and that is that the display of manly qualities
has been so great, and so universal, that we may hope that
many of those who have hitherto had no opportunity of
distinguishing themselves, if they have that opportunity,
will so conduct themselves as to be equally entitled to the
gratitude of their country. I now come to those who
happily are still living. I will state the resolution which
I propose for the acceptance of the house. In the first
place, it contains thet which is usual on all great occasions,
and that is to give the thanks of the house not only to the
officers of-the military and naval services who are entitled
to those thanks, but to those persons who are at the head
of the civil government, and who by their arrangements
and by the moans which they have provided for the mili-
tary service have contributed to our military successes. I
propose that the thanks of this house shall bo given not only
to the officers and men of the two services, but I propose
to add another resolution of which I was not able to give
notice, but with regard to which I am sure no point of
order will be urged against me, although it is a departure
from the general practice and has been proposed on a sud-
den. lam sure that every one will feel that when we are
thanking the army and navy for their services we ought to
acknowledge the services of those persons, of whom there
are a great number, who were not in the military service,
but who in the defence of posts co-operated with the mili-
tary and who are equally entitled to our thanks. (Hear.)
An objection has been taken to the first resolution which
includes Lord Canning, the Governor-General; Lord
Elphinstone, the Governor of Bombay ; Lord Harris,
the Governor of Madras ; and Sir John Lawrence,
the Commissioner of the Punjaub. If these different
officers had not performed the services which they
did perform, and if they had not shown the greatest
diligence in providing the means to enable the mili-
tary commanders to take the field, and to accom-
plish so much before a single man had arrived from Eng-
land, we should not now be able to point to Delhi taken,
Cawnpore relieved, and the garrison of Lucknow saved.
Lord Canning, when first the mutiny took a serious shape,
and after it had assumed a formidable magnitu•le, knowing
that a very long time must elapse before any large rein=
forcements could arrive from England, set himself to see
whence reinforcements were to come by means of which
the revolt was to be suppressed. Lord Canning accord-
ingly wrote to Lord Elgin, strongly urging on him to per-
mit the force which had been placed at Lord Elgin's dis-
cretion for supporting his proceedings in China to be • i-
verted from that service, and sent on to India. Lord Elgin,
with a promptitude and zeal which was highly honourable
to him, consented, and sent the force on which he had de-
pended for currying out the duty on which he had been
sent to the other end of the globe, and, feeling the import-
ance of putting down the rebellion in India, sent every
man of that force thither, and postponed to an indefinite
period his operations in China, and
gave up the means he
possessed of enforcing his negotiations in that country.
Lord Canning also had resort to the governor of the Cape,
and, although there were symptoms among the K ffir
population which gave him some uneasiness, Sir G. Grey
sent troops, horses, artillery, and money, and everything
that he could send to assist the governor-general. The
governor of the Mauritius did the same thing. Sir Henry
Ward, the governor of Ceylon, pursued the same course.
Sir H. Ward and the governor of tho Mauritius stripped
their respective colonies of troops to an extent which
nothing but such an emergency could have justified, and
took on themselves a responsibility which did the highest
honour to their public( spirit. (Hear, hear.) Lord Canning
also took measures to send to Persia, the Mauritius, and
Australia, for horses to mount the cavalry and equip the
artillery which was expected from England. Lord Canning,
knowing that when the troops from England arrived there
would be a difficulty in sending them from Calcutta up the
country, and knowing, from experience, that the bullock-
carts, the animals and vehicles of thepeaeantry, were taken,
as was the custom, by conscription, and that the,peasantry,
therefore, hid them and carried them away, and that it was
difficult to obtain the means of transport—Lord Canning,
I ssay, wisely resolved to pay the peasantry for the use of
these carriages, and the result was that so far from their
teeing no means of transport, after the arrival of 20,000
troops a great number of bullock-carts were obliged to be
sent away which had been brought to the railway station
by the people in the hope that they would bo employed.
I say, then, that Lord Canning is justly entitled to the
thanks of this house. Lord Canning has been the object of
many attacks, and I will give a specimen of the attacks to
which he has been subjected. I have not seen the extract
to which I allude, but I am told that there appeared in a
Calcutta paper, when Lord Canning appointed a particular
officer to the staff in the expedition to Persia, a statement
to the effect that " Lord Canning had crowned all his
former follies by appointing a worn out red-tapist to a
post for the duties of which he was wholly unfit, and that
he was only fit to sit at table with his dinner before him."
I do not. remember the exact words, but it was something
of this insulting description. Now who does the house
think was the man represented ? Why no other than that
distinguished man General Havelock. ("Hear," and
cheers.) I hope therefore that the house will not bo led
away by reports and paragraphs in the Calcutta papers. I
entreat the house to look at the services which Lord Can-
ning has performed in providing the means by which our
officers have obtained their successes, and I am sure that
no right feeling man will refuse to include him in the vote

of thanks whic-h lam about to propose. The same thing
may be said, in a lesser degree of Lord Elphinstone, and
of Lord Harris, who to the utmost of tLeir power gave
assistance to the Governor-General, and who stripped their
Presidencies of troops and sent every disposable man
to the scene of action. As to bir John Lawrence's ser-
vice---(" hear," and loud cheers)--he has by his ability
and judgment not only kept the Punjaub tranquil,
but having organised a force of Sikhs, the very men
who not long ago were so hostile to us, he sent every Euro.
peon soldier that he could collect to Central India, by which
means so much was enabled to be done. I hope the house
is too sensible of such services to refuse to concur in the
first resolution which I have to propose. I should have
mentioned Mr. Frere, who is included in the vote, a man
whose services are so well known that it is ?crawly neces-
sary to recur to them. Then the second resolution confers
the thanks of the house on the different generals who are
named therein. I think when I mention the name of Sir

Cohn Campbell—(cheers)—that no man will say that any
warmth of approbation which the house could express
would be greater than his services. (Cheers.) Sir Colin
Campbell has displayed the highest qualities of a soldier.
The alacrity with which ho left England for India was
characteristic of his country, of his extraction, and of his
military capacity. Re was asked if he would take the com-
mand in India, and when he could start; and his reply
was, " To-morrow morning." Ile waited for no prepara-
tion, no, for any military equipment, saying that he geoid
gat all he wanted at Calcutta, acid he did not lose one hour
before he departed. On his arrival at Calcutta, Sir Colin
Campbell placed himself in the hones of the Governor-
General, and whatever may have been reported to the
contrary, the most perfeot harmony, esteem, and good-will
prevailed between him and the Governor-General down to
the latest hour; and I know that Sir Colin Campbell has
written to the Governor-General, expressing his deep sense
of the public services of Lord Canning in the course of this
war. Sir Colin Campbell is a man of rare merit, combining
with the greatest intrepedity and courage that caution and
that power of adapting means to an end which are calcu-
lated to effect objects in war with the least effusion of blood
and the least possible loss of his troops. It is a quality
which his great predecessor the Duke of Wellington emi-
nently possessed, and which renders the exertions of an
Rainy doubly powerful on the day of battle. Sir Colin Camp-
bell in his advance on Lucknow displayed the greatest
stasitegy, and the manlier in which he extricated that crowd
of women and children, and sick and wounded, from their
perilous position, showed a military aiiility which has never
been surpassed. (Cheers.) And when he came to Cawn-

pore and attacked the Gwalior force, ieetead of rushing on
without preparation, he waited until everything was duly
prepared, and the result was such as completely to justify
his foresight. It must be a great consolation to the country
that we have so great an officer as Sir C. Campbell has
shown himself to bee and I must say that we must all feel
it to be a great satisfaction when we know that there are
among us men who, when great actions are to be performed
are found equal to the situation, and who by their deeds
entitle themselves to the appleuse and gratitude of the
country. Then there is General Wilson. (Hear, hoar.) He
came accidentally into the command of the force before
Delhi, in consequence of the unfortunate death of his two
predecessors, and he showed that the offisers of the scien-
tific branch of the service are not less capable of command-
ing armies, and producing great and glorious results. The
skill which he showed in variousengagements and the talent
be exhibited in conducting the siege, and the judgment he
displayed by not attempting the assault until the forces at
his disposal were sufficient to command success, entitle
Gen. Wilson tc the gratitude of the country and the thanks
of this house. Gen. Outram is also mentioned by name in
the resolution. General Outram, after showing great abi-
lity in the Persian expedition, returned to India and. was
appointed to a command which entitled him to supersede
General Havelock, who had boon earning those laurels
which now can only crown his monument; but General
Outran), showing a spirit of chivalry—(hear, hear) —which
was equal to his ability, declined to take the command
from General Havelock before he had earned the highest
distinction which ho sought, and he served under him as a
Volunteer, telling him, " Until you have succeeded in
relieving Lucknow, the object of your repeated endea-
vours, I will not step in and deprive you of the glory
to which you are so eminently entitled. (Loud cheers.)
It. is pleasant to find such distinguished commanders en-
dowed with such generosity as Gen. Outran so nobly dis-
played. Then there is Gen. Cotton, who has done such
good service, and Gen. H. Grant--(hear, hear)--and officer
of great distinction and of great ',realise, who haeTerforined
already very brilliant achievements, and from whose time
of life we may hope that he will long continue an orna-
ment to his profession, and confer glory on his country.
(Hear, hear.) Then there is Gen. Chamberlain, who per-
formed good service at Delhi, and Col. Greathed. (Hear,
hear.) I name these, because the names of all thews who
have distinguished themselves cannot be put into a resolu-
tion, yet it would be a great suppression of feeling if most
of them were not mentioned ; although I cannot mention
thorn all. There is Col. Jones, of the 31st Foot, who was
distinguished at Delhi ; Col. Campbell, of the 32d, at the
same t lace ; Col. Jones, of the 60th, and Col. B. Smith—
(hear, hear)—the engineer who had the merit of conduct-
ing the operations under Gen. Wilson at Delhi, and of
placing a battery within 50 yards of a wall that was
breached—an exploit worthy of all admiration. Then
there are Lieut. Rayner and Lieut. Collis, who co-operated
with Lieut. Willoughby in blowing up the magazine at
Delhi. There is Gen. Woodburn, of the Bombay army.
and Brigadier-General Stuart. Then there is General Y.
Cortlandt—(hear, hear)—who has performed important
services in the Ptiejaub. There is Gen. Burn and Col.
V. Eyre--(loud cheers ) —who performed a most important
service; and Gen. Inglis -(loud cheers)— a name for ever
memorable in the gallant and enduring defence of Luck-
now. (Cheers.) Imay mention the name of another man,

not indeed belonging to the army, but who is to be, found
wherever fighting is going on and he can get into it, and
that is Capt. Peel, who is distinguished for his courage
equally on sea and on land. (Cheers) I beg to move—
" That the thanks of this house be given to the Right
Hon. Viscount Canning, Governor-General of the British

Possessions in the East Indies , • the Right Hon. Lord Har-
ris, Governor of the Presidency of Madras ; the Right Hon.
Lord Elphiustone, Gavel nor of the Preei,iency of Bombay ;
Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence, G.C.8., Chief Com.

misr-ioner of the Piinjaub ; and Henry Bartle Frere,
General Commander of Scinde, for the energy and ability
with which they have employed the resources at their com-
mand to suppress the widely-spread mutiny in her
Majesty's Indian dominions.

"That the thanks of this house be given to his Excel-
lency General Sir Colin Campbell, G.C.8., Commander-in-
Chief in India ; Major-General Sir James Outram, G.C.B ;
Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.8.; and
Major-General John Eardley Wilmot Inglis, K.C.B. ; for
the eminent skill, courage, and perseverance displayed by
them in the achievement of so many and such iml.ortent
triumphs over numerous bodies of the mutineers.
"That the thanks of this house be given to the other
gallant officers of her Majesty's army, navy, and marines;
and also of the Hon. East India Company's service, for the
intrepidity, the patient endurance, and other high military
qualities which have marked their discharge of those ardu-
ous duties which they have so successfully performed.
" That this house doth highly approve and acknowledge
the high courage, the devoted loyalty, and the brilliant
services of the non-commissioned officers and men of her
Majesty's military and naval forces • of the European
troops in the service of the Honourable East India Com-
pany ; and of the great body of those native corps through-
out India who have remained faithful to their standards ;
and that the same be signified to them by the commanders
of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for
their gallant behaviour."

I am happy to say that many portions of the Bengal army
have been faithful to its allegiance, and that in the town
of Lucknow, where some of the troops were solicited to be
faithless to their homes and to join the mutineers. they
remained loyal to the last, and resolved to shed the last
drop of their blood in defence of European lives. (Cheers.)
In the Madras army there was hardly a defection, and in
the Bombay army the defection was only alight. It is due
to a large portion of the Indian troops that their fidelity
should be acknowledged and rewarded with the thanks of
this house. I would also move a vote of thanks of which I
have not given notice, but which I trust the house will at -
once accept, and that is, " That this house cloth highly ap.
prove the courage, self-devotion, and exemplary conduct
of the persons who, though not holding military rank, have
nevertheless performed military services throughout the
distlicts in which they were resident, and that these reso-
lutions be transmitted by Mr. Speaker to the Governor-
General of India, and that his lordship be requested to
communicate the same to the several officers referred to
therein." (Cheers.)
,I think we should not be doing jus-
tice to the feelings of the country if wo did not include
these individuals in our vote of thanks. (Cheers ) To
name them would be impossible. There are many amongst
them who have performed the most heroic actions, who
have shown the greatest military capacity, who have not
only resisted superior numbers with courage and pens.
verauce, but also with the greatest possible skill. (Cheers.)
I will only add, that all parties, whether brought up to
are military or naval professions, or whether occupy-
ing civil positions, have always been found equal to the dre
cumstances is which they were placed, have also risen
with the occasion, have been adequate to all emergencies,
and have always done honour to themselves and to the
country which has given them birth. (Loud cheering.)
The SPEAKER having put, the first resolution, convey-
ing the thanks of the house to the Governor-General and
the other gentlemen therein named,
Mr. DISRAELI said—Sir, in recording the unprece-
dented lustre which surrounds our gallant troops I must
still express my regret that on the present occasion the
noble lord should have unnecessarily introduced into the
discussion elements of controversy. (Hear, hear.) I quite
agree with the noble lord in his view of the conduct of the
most distinguished individuals during the last year in
India. Ido not think there is any one instance in which
character has been so remarkably exhibited, and in which
individual energy has shone with so much lustre. The in-
cidents of story are epical, the narrative reads like an Hos
merit poem, and every scene produces a hero. In these
remarkable events there are two incidents which in import-
ance, attract considerable attention, and it is curious that
in these two instances our countrymen are placed in an
exactly contrary position. In one they were besiegers and
in the other they were the besieged, and in both cases they
achieved complete success and gained immortal glory.
' (Cheers.) Between the siege of Delhi and the siege of
Lucknow there is, however, a passage which ought never
to be forgotten on an occasion like the present, and that is
the connecting link between them—the march of Greathed
—worthy I think of Caesar. (Cheers.) The noble lord has
very properly reminded us that on an occasion like the
present, when we are called upon to express the thanks of
this house for the heroic services of our countrymen in
India, wo should not forget those who have departed—
those who have deserved, but unfortunately sannotreceive
the expression of our approbation and gratitude. (Hear.)
I was glad also to observe that the noble lord did justice to
one who long sat in this house, and who, I believe, had the
opportunity been afforded him, would have proved per-
fectly equal to the occasion—l mean the sagacious and gal-
lant Anson—(cheers)—who would, I have no doubt, have
gained an illustrious reputation. The noble lord has re-
minded us of tho distinguished general who foil before
Delhi, bat who, before he fell, had at least the satiefaotion
of achieving great results on behalf of his sovereign and
his country—General Barnard. (Cheers.) Thera are malar
oho, having been unfortunately prematurely cut off, eau-
not be enumerated on that roll of heroes, such as Nichol-
son, Havelock, and Neill. (Cheers.) There are other die'
tinguished names which are recorded in the vote. Sir J.
Outran was not more distinguished by his chivalry than
by the generous sentiment which placed him milder peso;
liar circumstances in a subordinate position. (Cheers.)
There is one gallant officer whose name appears is the last
resolution whose gallant conduct in the defence of Luck'
now has not only excited the feelings of all Englishmen.
but has created, from peculiar circumstances, great interest
in this house. lam sure, however strong may have been
the general feeling of the country with respect to the un-
happy position in which the gallant Inglis waapleced, moor
a heart which throbbed for his beleaguered fortress at Lucke
now in this house will to-night erith peculiar pleasarejoili is
the vote of approbation of his gallant services. (Cleve.)
The noble lord has described with great happiness the cha-
racter of the commander-in-chief. Sir Colin Campbell ha,
I believe, only one fault —a courage too reckless for his
country. I believe that a union of personal valour, so ens'
neat, so prudent, has seldom been equalled in the annals "
the history of Groat Britain. (Cheers.) The noble lord bal,
referred to the conduct of the other branch of her Majesty
service, and although it would appear somewhat 'duel/Jill
a war with India the services of her Majesty's navy would
be needed, still by that happy destiny which seems to eor
nect the glory anddanger of our country with the 'milieus*
arui services of that eminently national and popular breech*
even in this strange war with India the services of the nalf
have been most oistinguished. Those who remember O.
early career of Capt. W. Peel in the Crimea will not be et:
tonished at his achievements in India, and at the manor,
in which he brought up the heavy artillery thoough ,
where there were no roads, and before the astonished sons'
teuances of enemies who counted upon the absence of sue"'
means of attack. (Cheers,) These are subjects on which.**
can treat with complete satisfaction, and in which we Mss
all most cordially agree. However awful was the courts a'
events during the last year, however troubled and hovel
glcomy our prospects may in some degree be at this memo),
every one must feel that the nation which produces such
men as these is a nation not destined to be a deelisialg
empire. (Cheers.) I wish the noble lord had permitted ga
this evening to give a unanimous vote with respect to the
A
actions of the heroes to whom we are under such great e'
deep obligations. It is not merely the °floors of her lKr
jesty's troops who have distinguished themselves, Thera
has been a degree of energy on the part of the corouit
soldiers which cannot be sufficiently praised and even "ce
elevation of sentiment and purity of feeling which the
country will always appreciate. I can conceive in tt.
trying momenta of many of these illustrious men, WI;
the highest general to the rank and file, why on On:
occasions they exhibited such a sentiment and eaa,7
conduct—l can conceive, in the hour of trial and strudgl"
that what animated them to snob determined value" 111"..
energy was the possibility that they might obtain the O.
probation of their sovereign and their country, We knelt
from the confessions of many warriors that what hasi eats'
tained them in the hour of battle was the hope ef theavola
of their sovereign and the vote of thanks
ef this hest
Who can tell what might have been the feelings of • 107,
like General Inglis with regard to this infuses*, 'We Wt.
it was so in the case of General Havelook. Perhaps at
darkest and most trying moment the vision of the seta yl).
the House of Commons might have some over his festia"ip
and sustained him to the hour of his triumph. This gulp
how important it is that votes of this kind should 001
.6.
degraded. (Cheers.) When lam told, if I snake an
serration on the manner in which votes are brought 17.
ward, that it is the usual form and the usual weesciaaine;
thank certain persons 'whose actions have been nseeits7,
44,,,
and some whose conduct in the opinion of others has " e
little meritorious, I think we ought to take ears hewn e
make such a proposal a mere form, because you
honour those who receive thanks if they are endellsr7o
but you will destroy, the distinction to those who halve
their lives or at least perilled their lives, in ordrz to 01,,
and obtain them. (Weer.) Let me express myself dulls tt;
with regard to the first vote. There are amongst the not.,
men and gentlemen whose names are mentioned sense
specting whose services there can be no question, lot in
stance, Sir John Lawrence, who on every oeassios 1315
shown that he possesses the highest qualities, and the
se
has exercised them without any personal feelin. So far
one can judge from the course of events the fongdue' of tm
Governors-General of Bombay and Madras is detersistod
thanks. So far as lam able to obtain information, sets
Elphinstone is particularly entitled to our thanks,
I believe that it is owing to him that troops were obier,,.
from the Cape. (Hear, hear.) lam not desirous of es
ing into a controversy with respect to the conduct of
Canning. I think her Majesty's litovernment "*.jeg•
fectly right in proposing a vote of thanks to Lori Csotok •
if they think he deserves it, but I also think that e5_1270041
subject due notice ought to have been given. It es 10
not be considered a mere form—it should not have nok
surprise. After all that has occurred and all that Woe o lid
said, I think the friends of Lord Canning eight 'aid
desire to see a vote of this kind surreptitiously earl'
have never brought any Charges against Lord Celt er
But if the noble lord challenges us to-night, I eIS
eo
press my opinion, which is not influenoed by Mit esa:
factious motives. I think there are passages in ta ases
duct of Lord Canning which require great etcpbsits7;ipir
a vindication which we have not yet heard. I ettl !toot
pared to say that explanations eauuot he given,
foo bpd'
triumphant vindication may not bo made; but
"oaks 6.
pared to say this—we ought not to vote these des,
Lord Canning, and Lord Canning ought not: to for
accept them, unless the house has arrived at thee; 0010
viction that his Excellency merits a testimony' :01;
approbation. No doubt the mutiny in Thais, tc7teldro
body by surprise, and of course Lord Canning ha iiisetir:
noble lord so ' • but some more satisfactory et..?,
ought to have been given than those which had or.
dared by the noble lord. There are passages of p!or cots!:
part of the government of India which demaiia__!„, se
careful investigation before the house Gan be so ;11.f.ii *oo_,
to commit itself to the approbation of oenduot Wlll,lO
As
wards they may consider it their duty toi inpulin• the 117,,
some information as to the negotiations between
vernor-General and the ruler of Nepaul. Thal died
entirely involved in mystery. Why were the Olio f
with the ruler of Nepaul to bring his troops Airseou_i
discouraged? Why were they afterwards 0011`ba that
Why were they afterwards renewed? It is Paar,,reli "to
Lord Canning may clear up these points, but
conduct requires explanation, and we oughtt feri
our thank,. to him before we have ascertained tr:de
I should like to know the motives which is" otien
Canning to order the troops from Rangoon, end
terensta4 them, It is possible that part of WS Pr"---