The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-12 00:00:00

THE EAST INDIA. COMPANY;

the court considered against the rulee of justice. It
would not have been able to do this had it been swag.
by the influences of political lies. We all know of the
celebrated instances of the bankers of Oude, where the
Government required the directors to send out a despatch
in the justice of which they did not believe. The Court
of Directors said : " We admit that you have the legal
power to take steps to compel us to sign that de: patois,
but so strong a sense have we of its iejestiee, that eve/.
though you go to the Court of King's Bench for a
mandamus we will rather be imprisoned than yield."
But, my lords, it is said that the existing system of
Government is a double one. In one settee it is/, but it
is not a double one in the sense of any conflict of power.
There can be no conflict of power; the power of the
directors is a moral power only, and can only be
exercised where they have confidence that they are
acting in accordance with the dictates of justice. The
immediate functions of Government are, and must of
necessity continue to be, exercised in India. The duties
of the home authorities are mainly confined to laying
down general rules for the guidance of those in authority
in India. Their duties are merely to deliberate and
direct, and in order that the Home Government may
have the advantage of the knowledge of those whose
experience is invaluable upon the subject of the govern
ment of India, a double government to this extent must
always exist. I think they, that the petitioners ere
right in eayieg that, however the government in India
is to be administered, the country could not venture to
dispense with the aid cf the cempany, in some she? . r
another. Ido not say that the constitution of the
company is perfect ; the directors do not tray that it is
perfect ; they state their readiness to joie with Par Fa-
ment to amend their constitution, where arnend:oenia ore
required. There is one fault, my lords, in the pres,nt
state of things, which I think Jr, obvious. Since the
company has ceased to be a mercantile corporatinc, the
proprietors of the East India Company have ne lorg:r
OA interest in the company which formerly gave teem
a jut claim to choose their directors. I think that it/
1853 whenia provision was made, after due inquiry, for
esabling the Government to nominate members of the
Court of Directors, that it would have been better to
have given a power to the Court itself to fill up vacan-
cies, the names of the proposed directors being sub-
mitted to the Government for approval, and the,
approval being withheld till the names were submitted to
both houses of Parliament. But whatever defects there
may be in the constitution of the Indian Government
as it now exists, these defect,' are merely matters of
detail, and do not require an entire alteration in the
system. Now, my lords, we have not been told what
are the grounds. which have induced the Government to
come to the conclusion that an alteration should be made
in the constitution of the Indian Government; but
when we remember that the subject was carefully con-
sidered so lately as the year 1853 by a cabinet contain-
ing many members of the present ministry, and that
that cabinet renewed the charter of the East India
Company, we must assume that it is something which
has occurred since then which has led to the conclusion
that the existing mode of government ought no longer
to continue. Those new eircnmstences can only be the
mutinies which have occurred in India. I must say,
my lords, that I am at a loss to understand in what
manner the mutinies can have rendered it expedient to
adopt the course which it is understood is contemplated
by the Government. I think that the argument of the
petitioners is unanswerable, that if those mutinies are to
be laid at the door of the Government of redia it is at
the door of that portion of it which has had supreme
control tbat it should be laid, and not at the door of the
petitioners, who have been merely an advising body,
and whose advice has not unfrequently beendisregartied.
The branch of the administration in which the affairs of
India have been best managed is that portion with which
the crown, and the officers of the crown, have the least
concern. Oa the other hand, the management of the army
has been more directly under the control of the ministers
of the crown. The ministry has appointed the Com.
wander-in-Chief, it has virtually appointed the Gover-
nor-General, and, in fact, the general control of the army
has been more with the ministry than with the Board of
Directors. Bearing these things in mind, it appears that
we are to come to this extraordinary conclusion, that
whereas one administration has been good and another
evil, we are to take away the authority of that which has
discharged its trust efficiently, and commit it to those
who, it appears by the result, base mismanaged the
duties confided to them. What may be the paramount
causes of the mutiny I cannot pretend to say.; but no
man can doubt tbat it sprang immediately from two
causes ; first, that the demands upon the service of the
British troops have been of late years very largely in-
creased ; and, secondly, that the native army bee been
kept up to a scale dangerously large when compared wit,h
that of the European troops. (Hear.) Why is it tbat the
duties of British troops have been of late years so largely
increased l MY lords, lam hound to say that the cause
of it has been the restless and aggres-ive policy which
has been pursued with regard to the powers with whom
the Indian Government has been brought into contact.
In these wars millions and millions have been exe.ended,
which might have been far more wisely employed in the
internal improvements of Hiridoatan, thereby adding to
the resources and power of the state. This aggressive
policy has been the true source of our difficulties, and let
me add, that with this policy the government has had
nothing to do. The constitution of the Secret Committee
enables the government of the day to give what orders
they please relating to war and diplomacy without the
knowledge of the Court of Directors/. It is notorious
that the directors have always opposed the policy of
aggression, and it is no less notorious that most of. the
recent wars have been commenced without their know-
ledge, and continued without their approval. We know
they disapproved of the war in Affghoosistan, that they
disapproved of the Burmese war, and that they were rot
consulted in the war with. Persia. And because these
proceedings have ended in the calamities of the last 12
months, we are now to be asked to hand over the govern-
ment from those who disapproved of those proceedings
and hand it to those through whose instrumentality they
were set on foot. I cannot see—l think your lordships
will have a difficulty in seeing—the policy or the justice
of such a step, and I therefore concur with the petitioners
in thinking that the principle of the present system of
government ought to be maintained. And, my lords, if
you retain the principle, I concur with the petitioners
in thinking that it would not be well to constitute some
fresh consultative board to advise the government. The
petitioners say, and with justice, that a newly created
board would want that morel influence which an esta-
blished body, like the Court of Directors, now possess.
And I also concur with the petitioners in thinking that
even supposing it desirable that some alteration should
be made in the existing state of things, the present is not
the time for making it. I own that this seems so just
and plain a proposition that I am at a loss to see how it
can be met. It seems to me most extraordinary that we
should be called upon to attempt to alter the system of
government of an empire, while the whole of that empire
is torn by an internal conflict. I have now, my lords,
stated in what I concur with the petitioners, but before
I conclude it is necessary that I should say a few words
upon a point with regard to which I am bound to say
that I cannot agree with them. The petitioners pray
your lordships not to pass the proposed bill during the
continuance of the present disturbances, or, at all events,
not without further inquiry. They urge that before such
a step is taken, there should be a full and complete
inquiry into the subject by your lordships' house. From
this I must say I entirely dissent. If Parliament should
be of opinion that the present system should endure no
longer, and that the East India Company should be abo-
lished, I think that that opinion should be put into
practice with the least possible delay. I see no occasion
for inquiry ; because, though it might be incomplete
in other respects, the inquiry made in the year 1853
as to the mode of conducting the government of India
has afforded us all the information which we can require
with reference to the home government. Besides, I think
that an inquiry of this kind would have a very bad effect.
The inquiry would necessarily be directed against the
company by the government, and yet during the time
that it was going on the company would have to act
with government in the administration of the affairs of
India. If we are to have a change, let it be made as/
speedily as possible, and let the statute which enacts it
come into force with as little delay as the subject would
allow. Before I sit do en, let me remark that I was
wrong in saying that the East India Company have not
been consulted by the government in reference to this
bill about to be propesed. I ought to have said that
they have at last been consulted. About an hour before
I came down to this house I received information to the
effect that this morning the Prime Minister had an inter-
view with the Chairman of the Court of Directors,
nn
and
ce ov
theu ni chaitl
li e dto s
to
come
before
bimt h e
h
heads ofteHouse
Commons
A', how-
ever,
to-morrow, I presume that no very essential mcdifica-
, tions oan take place in the interval ; and I own I do
i not see what advantage can arise from the conamunica-
tion which has just been made. If anything, I think
this makes rather more marked than it was before the
insulting want of courtesy shown to wards the Court of
I Directors.

Esrl GREY said—l rise, my lords, pursuant to de
notice I have given, to present to your lordships a peti-
tion which the directors of the East India Company have
done me the honour to entrust to my care. The East
India Company come beforeyour lordships as petitioners,
in consequence of its having been signified to them by
the ministers of the crown that a bill will be proposed to
Parliament, for the purpose of placing her Majesty's
East Indian dominions under the direct authority of the
crown ; in other words, a bill to abolish the East India
Company as governors of India, On receiving that com-
munication the East India Company addressed a letter
to the First Lord of the Treasury, in which they stated
their objections to the proposed abolition of the company
—objections which they said were not founded on per-
sonal considerations, but on considerations of the public
interest both of this country and of India, at the same
time expressing their readiness to concur in any attempt
that might be made to improve existing arrangements.
To that letter the Court of Directors received an answer
couched in very brief, not to say contemptuous, terms,
informing them that the First Lord of the Treasury de-
clined to give them any information, either as to the rea-
, sons which had induced the Government to submitabill
on this subject t °Parliament, or as to the provisions which
that bill would contain, and reserving all explanaion on
these points until the bill had been introduced into Par-
liameament. I cannot forbearstating at starting that this
answer had very much the appearance of discourtesy to
the East India Company. The position in which they
stand gave them a right to expect that her Majesty's
Government would have consulted them on this subject.
But not so much of the discourtesy do they complain as
of the injury likely to be done to the public service by
the course taken, because I am sure Your lordships will
agree with me that to create a new system of govern.
went for India is a task of extreme difficulty, and
requires to be undertaken with careful consideration in
order that danger may be avoided. (Hear, hear.)
Surely the directors, from their knowledge and experi-
ence, would have been able to have offered some useful
advice and assistance to Government in the considera-
tion of this subject, and I am persuaded that, as it would
clearly have been the duty of the East India Company
to do so, it would have been their anxious desire, if con-
sulted confidentially, to have given their best advice and
assistance in devising the best arrangement that could
be adopted for the common interest. I cannot help
thinking that a very great injury has been done to the
public service by the course taken by Government, and
it does not appear to me that the present Cabinet stands
so much above all its predecessors in ability or judgment
as to make the advice of the East India Company super-
focus in this matter. (Hear, hear.) My lords, the
East India Company, on receiving from her Majesty's
Government this letter declining to enter into any con-
sultation, behaved, in my opinion, with the greatest
propriety. They showed no sign of offence with respect
to the discourtesy with which they had been treated,
but they considered what was the course which it was
their duty to pursue, and they came to the conclusion
that, as in their opinion' the proposed measure was not
calculated to prove of public advantage, they were
bound, being practically charged with the protection of
British interests in India, to refer the whole question to
Parliament, and to state their views in petitions to both
houses. (Hear, hear.) Accordingly, the Court of Di-
recters caused a petition to be drawn up, a petition
equally remarkable for the temperate and becoming lan-
guage in which it is couched, and for the extreme clear-
ness and order of its arguments. Indeed, I do not know
that I ever read a state paper which in my opinion
deserved a more unqualified commendation. (Cheers.)
That petition was assented to by 16 out of 18 directors,.
including some who had been nominated by the Crown,
and it was subsequently, after a very protracted discus-
sion, adopted by the Court of Proprietors with, I believe,
only four dissentients. Seeing, my lords, that this
petition has arisen in the manner I have described, and
that it has all the weight that can be derived from the
position of the great company from which it emanates, I
have thought it my duty to present it to your lordships,
and will now proceed to state its prayer and averments.
The noble earl here read an abstract of the petition of
the East India Company, which was published at length
in The Sun of Jan. 21, and proceeded to say : I
have now given your lordsaips a sketch, and it is a very
slight one, of the substance of the petition. I have not
thought it necessary to do more than thus slightly to
state its substance, because I am sure that it has already
been read by most of your lordships. And I may aid,
that before we are called upon to legislate you will not
only read but carefully consider adocumeut, every word
of which well deserves your attention. I believe if yen
so study this petition you will find that the argument it
contains is unanswerable in its main points, and that
you will come to the conclusion that the petitioners have
succeeded in demonstrating that there is no ground upsn
which it can be required that the authorities at home
are.
efrom I s petitioners point out
should be constituted essentially different from the inman-
anletrho ugh ihineshtrtishcetyioni: iw 'ssu re
to your lordships that, under existing arrangements,
the Board of Directors,
those instructions are not, and cannot be, carried out
without the consent of her Majesty's Government,
The
welch itself ultimately deoides what those instructions
shall be. By this arrangement complete authority is
given to the Government. The Government is, as it
ought to be, supreme. That I regard as a matter beyond
controversy ; fur your lordships must see that a possible
conflict of authority would be most inconvenient. Bat
the points to be *rued in favour of the petitioners' case
do not stop here. When your lordships consider the
extant of your Indian empire, the vastness of its terri-
tory and of its population--a population including men
of different races and origins, all of them so uulike our-
selves in temper and habit of mind, I think it will appear
obvious to you that the task of conducting the etneerne
of such an empire is one of the greatest magnitude. It
is impossible to suppose that Ministers of the Crown
can possess sufficient knowledge of India or of Indian
affairs to enable them unaided to conduct that go-
vernment in an efficient manner. The petitioners
have told your lordships that the average time
during which the Presidents of the Board of Contr,,l
hold their office is two years and a half. Would it not
be preposterous to suppose that men holding office
for that period can have that intimate acquaintance
withlndian Government demands ? hitherto the requisite
knowledge and experience here been supplied by the
C
affairsDireu of Indiators,lt wishfiucrh a proper conduct of the
further to be remarked, my
lords, that the Court of Directors shields from the bane-
ful ud
irsnt government of India. It
is because the Court of Directors is a body having no
connexion with political matters that it has been able to
carry on
the Government of India free from the turmoil
If the Ministers
of party warfare. of the Crown get the
il fuesice of party spirit the
into their own hands
this Governmentwill oD Indiage most
longer
the
ea
e— the evil resulting
directlyand
from such a state of things will be at once apparent to
us, if we look elsewhere. I do riot at this present mo-
ment see iu this house a noble friend of mine who, a few
be
n of f
years ago, held the governorship of Ceylon. My noble
friend—l allude to Lord Torrington—.was governor of
that dependency at the time when disturbances took
place there. From the temper of the people of Ceylon
at that time there is no reason to doubt that if the rebels
had been allowed to gain any advantage through any
weakness or want of spirit on the part of the govern.
ment of the colony, the consequences would have been
most fearful. But by the prompt and energetic measures
of my noble friend that insurrection was suppressed
almost immediately. Amongst the measures which the
alarming nature of the crisis required was a capital sen-
tence against
18 of the ringleaders of the rebellion, and
that sentence was carried into effect et one time against
them all. Because these 18 persons were executed at
once, a cry was raised against Lord Torrington. It was
believed that through him the Government might be in-
jured, and therefore he was hold up to public odium
through the press and in Parliament as a Minister of
cruelty. I say,
my lords, that Lord Torrington deserved
the thanks of his country ; but instead of those, the
treatment which he received was such as to render his
future Government of Ceylon to be so difficult, thatll
may say it almost became impossible. What, my lords,
has preserved the Government of India from attacks
similar to those made against Lord Torrington ? It
has been preserved from them because by means of the
Court of Directors it has been kept always from
the arena of party passions. Your lordships well know
how firmly the Court of Directors has on some occasions
refaced to follow the Government in doing things IThich

The Duke of A RGYLL said he was sure their lordships
would all admit that in following the noble earl he was
placed at considerable disadvantage, and that his position
might have been far better had he risen after the head of
the government had introduced the bill in another place.
He would appeal to the candour of the noble earl himself
whether it were not possible that many of the objeotions
he had urged to this proposed change might have been re-
moved by an examination of the measure about to bo sub-
mitted to parliament. He could not anticipate the
contents of that bill, and his observations would therefore
take the form rather of a statement, than of a reply to the
speech of his noble friend. He must, however, first refer
for a moment to his noble friend's eulogium on the
petition of the East India Company. He need hardly
say that in the whole of that eulogium it was impossible
for the government to concur. They thought that some
of the arguments in the petition wero purely traditional,
and were inapplicable under existing circumstances; that
some parts of it contradicted each other ; and that some of
tho statements, though true in themselves. did not warrant
the conclusions in support of which they were made. On
one point there could be but one opinion in that house ;
from which
meat must all feel that the tone and temper of this dou-
ment were worthy of the gre
subject toreated ; and he
historical body icch
it emanated, and worthy of the
earnestly hoped that in the debates which would take place
in parliament, there would be an abstinence from every-
thing of a recriminative character, and that they would all
give credit to each other for a desire to secure the best pos-
sible government for India. He must also express an an-
xious hope that the two able and distinguished men who
were understood to have been mainly instruments! in the
drawing up of that petition might continue to give to any
future government that might be provided for India that
able assistance which they had for-so many years given to
the government of the East India Comny
ing thus referred to the petition, he entreated Now, iv
their lord-
ships'a to consider in what position the government would
Imo boon pima if they had riot propooci a change of syl,

.............ssee - a5....................5e
• tern. The act of idts3 made changes of
very eaninidorAble any• Reim.' in the United Riegdorn may come and dernani
megnitnle in the government ef India ant al' iiteas e deli = i ii if he can beat his fellow competitors. What err
changes were in the direction of that consummation which meinai, then, ha the way of patronage h he military
was now proposed. Tee house would recollect the circum- • cadetships ? As to them, almost all parties atear agreed that
stances under which the measure of 1853 was brought for- one consequence of the recent events will be a couaideratle
ward by Lord Aberdeen. The transfer of the powers of , dirninutiou of the Dative army, and a corresponding dined*
government from the East India Company to the Crown notion of the patronage. All he would say was, that if both
was urged upon the government from different quarters, 1 houses of Parliament should be dissatisfied with the pro*
including if not a large at all eveats a very influential posal which Lord Palmerston would make, he trusted they
party in parliament ; and he might appeal to ad his col- would take into their own hands; the task of proposing
leagues iu L net Ab Irdeen's government whether it was not , seine modification—anything, in ?act, that would get rid of
their impression et the time that such a result would eta. 1 this bugbear, which would interfere with their doing ass ay
mately be inevitable. One of the immediate effects of the with that which was but a mere name and a farce, and as-
I change thee male—he referred more especially to the sub- sinning the government of India in the name of the crown,
stitution for a periodical renewal of the charter of a simple to which at this moment it legally and practically belonged.
provision that the government of India. should remain :V.l He would refer to one other point whiter was a good deal
was then constituted until parliament determined other- dwelt on out of doors—he meant the time. It was said they
wise--one of the immediate effects of that change was, ought not to introduce such a bill at this moment. There
that it kept the affairs of India more prominently was a belief that 100 years after the battle of Flimsy the
1 and constantly under the attention of Parliament ; and it Cempany's Raj was to come to an end. If a change took
was foreseen by every one that circumstances might arise place, the sepoys would believe it was brought about by
which would naturally lead to a further alteration in the them, and be persuaded they had nothing to do but to re.
government of India. During the last three cr four years 'bey in order to bring about a great change ins the govern.
they had bad almost constant discussions in Parliament, in merit. He had always thought this ono of the most bine&
the press, and.above all, among the great commercial body eni arguments ho had ever heard. He would not dwell oa
in the country, with regard to many of those great roe*. the past then. It had been fully shown that our empire had
tions of internal government which were of must intereet not departed. He trusted anti believe,', that if the Conn.
to all connected with India. The Chief Justice a- d ot'nt r pane's Raj was now to give way it erceald give way to the
noble lords had reeeatally called attention to Ow defeat- i-fet raj of the imp -rial crown, which wills hoer cease until one
! a Iministratien of justice in India; and there had also [erne or other of two events takes place —either that they had
a great deal of discussion with regard to the tents-,•e of declined in a great degree from 3,be valour of those who
lend, the growth of cotten, the annenation policy of, Lora. data now the empire, and lately ehowe they were able to
Dalhousie, this last subject involving one of the rr.ost d di- keep it; and might God speed ahe time when they should
crate of all questions, namely, the relations which subsisast have raised the people of ludis, more te the level of theta•
between the government of India and the native, states. It selves. (Hear.)
was a remarkable feature of these discussions that tall the The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH said that he rose not to
complaints which hal been made of the defective state of
affairs, or of errors which had been committed. were express any new opinion on, the subject brought under their
almost always committea by the opponents of the In 'tact lordships' consideration; h e hail only to repeat whet he had
government with the firm and structure of that govern- .xpresseil towards the cle he of last session. He then do
merit. Whether this subject were agitated in Ertglaed or dared he rejoicedthey were at the close of ihe session, for if
in India, in the coulinerciel cities ai• this minty., ~, •
they had been at the commencement he feared this great
Parliament, it was constantly assnmetl that the diefecrtivne:
action of , ha government was owing to its faultis subject would have bee .e brought before Parliament with e
onucture
and that the existinc system, instead of being a source ~f view to an imnaediato and summary settlement.; it was
strength, was a pet peittlfonntain of embarrassment, mis- even more than the reconstrnetion of the government of
understanding, and we. He was sure the house In lie, and he thouiht it highly inexpedient that so great
would agree with him thet there could be nothing more
dangerous for a government than to have its errors of policy a subject should corns under consideration when there wag
attributed to defects in its organic structure. And was it 11J probability, from the continuance of the war, that it
at all surprising that there should be a very great amount would receive that, mature deliberation which could alone
of prejudice against the government of the East India bring it to a successful issue. (Hear, hear.) At the same
govern
Compam eny
nt was believed ? Let them c nis
to be.ider forlndia was eve n a moment what
no that time he distinctly stated, and he still held, that great
w—
advantage would be derived and great strength imparted- to
no change would be made by the bill in that respect—
under the dominion of the Crown. Parliament long ago de- the Government of India if it were carried on directly in the
(dared that India formed part of the empire of the crown. The name of the Crown. (Hear.) He was still of opinion that a
government of the East India Board was a government measure goinee to that extent, only with a few subsidiary al.
which was termed in legal phraseology a " government in terations required to carry it into effect, would most mate-
trust ;" the Company was said to hold India in trust for .
really corsduceto the peaceful and satisfactory settlement of
the crown. He would not atop to inquire whether any cir-
camstances could justify the Crown being considered in a the difficulties in which they were involved. He had always
state of pupilarity with regard to any of its dominions. , stated that he considered a council of India essential to its
But there were two questions which could not be passed good government, but that council should be thoroughly
by : first, who were the parties who held India in tru.at ; independent--(hear) —and he considered that at least a por.
and secondly, what were their powers ? In reply to the
first question it might be said the parties were whet was trod of it should be of an elective character. The petitioners,
called the East India Company, But what was that com- the proprietors of East India stook, had themselves caused
pany? They all well knew that it was formeely what its the danger which now threatened the Company—they had
name implied, a company of merchants trading with the caused it by their mode of electing directors. If they had
East Indies. In that way its authority began, and through m
that means was its empire established. Parliament how- been actuated by public spirit, and, looking around them
ever thought it was a mistake to mix up questions of policy forthe ablest men and those of the highest reputation in
with questions of commerce, and in 1833 the Court of Di- the Indian service, had placed them among the directors,
rectors became mere instruments to assist the ministry of no government would have dared to touch them, and they
the day in ruling India. He knew it might be said that would have conciliated the affections and commanded 04
that change removel many of the old objections to the
approbation and confidence of the country. It was because
system ; but on the)
other hand it destroyed many of the
they had departed from that rule—because they had been
arguments by which were maintained the desirableness
and the necessity of perpetuating the existing separation
led by private interests, and had given to canvass what they
between the crown and an empire which belonged to it, ought to have given to services— that danger now threatened
tel
If the East India Company were no longer a commercial them. It was this misconduct on their part which he
enabled her Majesty's Government, without any material
cise dominion for corrupt ends, there could
body, and therefore no longer had any temptation to exer-
opposition, to introduce in the court at the last settlement
sac longer be
memb
any reason why India should continue to be governed in a
six
fight
ers to be appointed by the Crown. Althougnal
manner which led to so much misunderstanding, and which ho might question the manner in which the Fewer h
must almost everyone admitted to be attended with so many in-
been exercised on one or two occasions, yet every one
for a moment at the effect of the Indian mutiny in refer-
conveniences. (Hear, hear.) Now let their lordships look
admit that there was more strength, more reputation,more that could be trusted in the five directors appointed
ence to this question. His noble friend who presented the by the Crown, than in the whole of the other thirteen ;
petition seemed to think that the Government had some of the thirteen only three had any claim at the time of
charge to bring against the East India Company, and that their election on account of services in India ; several of
it was on that ground that they wished to abolish the pre- them of course had since acquired knowledge and practicewhich rendered them
a
Government bad adopted. The practical effect of the
bets of the court he ever knew was captain of a skip, who
competent. One of the best mum.
mutiny would undoubtedly bo this, that for many years to knew nothing of India but what he saw from the deck of
come increased attention would be devoted to many
his vessel; but, being an honest and able min, he soon
of the most difficult and delicate questions relating to
became an excellent director. He considered the present
the government of India that could possibly be aei-
time peculiarly inopportune for the consideration of this
toted in Parliament. The questions of the tenure of land, question. If indeed there had been any obstruction on
of the administration of justice, and of the relations be-
the part of the court to the measures of the governmeat
for reinforcing the army—if they had not made themselves,
tween the Government of India and the native princes,
ancillary in all respects. to the objects of the government, were questions to which increased attention wool : un_
os.
doubtedly be paid in this country, and they would all be then there would have been a necessity for an instant alt
debited with reference to those anomalies and faults which ration. If in such a case he were in the Ministry, he would
every one confessed to exist in the structure of the Indian have called the Parliament together instanter, and made
change in order to save India. But he bad r hear I
Government. To show the reality of their danger, he might even a suggestion that such was the case. needludee it was
refer to a speech which was delivered by as eminent Mai-
impossible to conceive it could. The court must have
visual in another place towards the clime of the last see- impossible
the danger, and he was convinced the G0V011311131 I
siou, a speech which was marked by a display of that iniii- tea some influence fu the court, and had only to intimate
vidual'a well-known ability. Towards the close of that
a wish to have it at once adopted. It was evident that
speech allusion was made to what bad, as he holism!, been
erroneously called the annexation policy of Lord Dalhousie;such was the case ; for by the present law, if the Govern.
went sent more than 24,000—except at the request of the
and a comparison had been drawn between the faith which
Company—they should pay for them. The noble baron
pane with the native sovereigns and the faith which would
brat been kept by the Government of the East India Com-
could not move one man or one gun without sending to the
be kept with them and the imperial crown. Now, he could India-house to get the board to go through the form of
)3
conceive no question that required more delicate handling asking for them. When the bill of 18 was before the
than that ! and he was convinced that if such matters were house he differed from his ft tends, and wished it should
pass ; he saw that war was looming, and advised them to
discussed under the present order of things, they would
set their hou in order, and not be forced to discuss so
always he discussed with reference to those organic changes
important a measure when their attention was distracted
which it was impossible to deny were demanded, not merely
by war. The next year the Crimean war broke out ; Go.
for the sake of securing symmetry of form, but by common
vernment was pledged to introduce a measure of reform.
sense. The East India Company did not deny iu their peti-
but withdrew it, oa the ground that it could not be properly
Lion that some change might naturally ba expected as the
considered. They were now involved in a much greater.'
result of what had recently occurred; but they maintainsd
„„ar.
(Hear.) With iusufficient foroes they were string.
that no change ought to be made without a preliminere w
glieg with a greater enemy, and yet at this moment they
inquiry. It was all very well for his noble friend (Earl
Grey) to throw over his clients as he had done that night, were required to reconstruct the whole government of
and to repudiate the course which they roc one
;but India, and also to consider that very reform bill; they
were desired to take to pieces the whole constitutioa of the
he submitted to the house that in dealing with the pet i-
Lion they must deal with it as it was laid ou the table, government of India, and at the same time take to pieces
and must. consider simply the recommendations which it ,
that most hypertext part of the constitution of this couu.
try which regulated the election of the House of C 01311110114
made, and the alternatives which it placed before them.
(Hear.) ll;knew very well what the result would be.
He agreed with his noble friend that a preliminary in-
When the bill was brought in it would be debated much
quiry, tending avowedly to a change in the mode of govern-
mere than the Government imagined. In the mean.
ing India, would produce the most pernicious effects. It
by
would, he believed, pending the inquiry, be impossible to time they would be compelled the unanimous
cl
prevent popular agitation, not only in this country, but in
i n ref amour of the attorneys, who were
orm than anybody else; by the press, which
more interested h
India. In support of this remark he would refer to a Jotter
they in ; and by the pressure from a few earnest
which had recently been received from a distinguished
ms
servant of the East India Company, and which, thoughen, to bring in a measure of reform. When that wa
done the passion of all earties would be so much excited
the letter was written on a different subject, had an un-
fortunate bearing on this question. Their lordships would, that attention would no longer be paid to the details of the
no doubt, recollect that one of the charges—he must say measure for regulating the Government of India, and whiles
one of the most scandalous charges—made against Lord they were involved in a party quarrel the Government of India would slip from their hands. (Hear.) Before they
Canning was that during the period of the mutiny he had
engaged in the consideration of this measure he entreated
given some civil employment to a gentleman of the Ma-
them to consider what their position in India really was.
homedan faith—a gentleman who was, he believed, as
faithful to the crown as any one of the Europeans now re-
They had been told fortnight after fortnight, as each tele..
silent in India. It was considered by the Government of
graphic message had arrived, that the head of the mutiny
India that this gentleman could be of service in a particu-
was broken, that it was crushed, yet the mutiny still ex.
lay pert of India, and therefore he was appointed, but the rated. They had just heard that Sir Colin Campbell had
appointment was met by a shout of indignation from those taken Furruckabad. He had reason to know what was the
who were called the Calcutta public. By the last mail
exact force under the Commander-in-Chief, under General
there had come from Lord Canning a defence of that ap-
Outrun and under Col. Seaton, on Der. 7. At that date
pointment—a defence which he (the Duke of Argyll) be-
the total force with Sir C. Campbell was 11,030 men, exe
i 36
lieved to be quite unnecessary—end among the documents
ve of the artillery, who served
forwarded from guns. From that
sent was a letter from a gentleman residing in the city of period till Dec. °O, 2:30 men a day were
Calcutta by daks. All these would have arrived by the
Patna, where the Mahomedau gentleman referred to oxen-
day Furruckabad was taken. He had left two regiments cieed his office. The writer of this letter said : M v
" - ans at Beneres, so that the whole force at his disposal for field
people endeavour to persuade themselves that the natives
are not aware of the contents of the English papers, and
operations would be at the outside 17,500 naen. The Go-
Vernon General of India may haveshown energy and ability
that so far as they are concerned, it is immaterial what
(parliament said he had, and Parliament must be right) its
appears in these publications ;but this is a verygreat mis-
summoning to his aid as may troops as possible, and in
take. The English papers have for many years past formed
providing land carriage for the detachments mentioned,
the source to which the native news-writers and the native
but these qualities had not enabled him to provide 6,5.9t1
papers look for their intelligonee of our movements and
with the carriage, without which they could not move.will.
intentions. Since this revolt commenced the greatest
point of fact, Sir Colin Campbell, after his
uviastaory,
had
anxiety has been manifested to learn what the English
detained a whole fortnight at Cawnpore, be au se he
Did it appear that a single mile
papers say, and every one fortunate enough to get old
iof
not the means of moving.
an English paper is called upon to translate it for thei eecnie-
of the new cavalry regiments
fi was yet mounted ? Hail
t for ter vice ? Was a single one
fication of large circles of listeners, who againeetts. 1
It they a single horse
sent out yet horsed ? Elephants were
news and comments of the journals in their villages. of the. batteries
came to my notice accidentally, the other day, t.hnat the essential during the rains, yet not a single alephanti
Nujeebs at Mozufferpore were in the habit of ham gme was sent up till the rains were over. In dry weather
camels were very useful. They might have Mounted cavall y
Enelish papers translated to them, and. there can be no
armed with lances on them ; but no camels were pro.
doubt that whatever appears in the English papers which
vidcd. If they could not have got horses, even bullock*
in any way servo the purposes
.of the
.disaffdeadturedta:
would have been useful. They were told it was a mutiny
scieneedisiel made known to them by their agents in u i
.0
to
lecrid and not a revolution, and yet at this moment Sir C. Camp.
ywhere. To suppose that it can be otherwise
blindness
bell held nothing on the left bank of the Ganges above
give our enemies credit for a degree of wilfulre tr
Their in-negligence which forms no part of theeiornchraem e
Allahabad. Between Allahabad and Benares he hat
telligence department has always b character,
good,
intentions," and they certainly would not neglect the most simple and nothing but the high road ou which his detachments moved♦
obvious means of ascertaining our views and ,
they held nothing on the right bank of the Jumna. The
Ho would not continue quoting, but he would observe
whole of Central India was up against them, and the armie*
that
even of the princes oho had remained faithful had revolted!
the writer dwelt very strongly on the danger to England
which would arise if there was an agitation of the question against their masters. A column under Colonel Durant
had done excellent service, and relieved Neemuch; but
of the form of government in the Indian press. Now, he
Nor must remind their lordships that if there were any delay they had no force able to clear the right bank of the Nor
brulda. Saugor had never been i slaved. They tai lately
in this matter they would have hereafter to deal with the
heard of an outbreak at Oodypore ; they would be obliged.
question under circumstances which did not at present exist
all through Central India not merely to relieve theeir gai_lo.l
and which would tend to increase the danger attending the
sons, but also to appear in force to re-establish
ate
them.
settlement of it. He had no knowledge of the intentions
rity of those princes who had remained faithfulhad
not
w.
of Lord Canning or the Indian Government in referencei to
bsin tanlecen*
the relaxations of the present restrictions
whichon the Fur all this they required an army which they
He should like to know what
I wereTre‘ansunuireber of men sfifficient
press; but he knew that in the address
Le
hiiluirndshiaipn
to ensure a continuous seusppyo
which were absolutely necessary
made in reference to those restrictions e observed that it
to execute the measur
Iput down th )
to restore their authotity ant
was not without great reluctance that any wan who had
breathed the free air of English life could recommend such
noble baron bad told them there was a continuous supply
month ; but he doubted who tier such
a step to the English legislature, mid he entieirtainheedwitiitutilde
of 1,000 menhea
doubt that whenever he considered it safe to . o so
this hand the case. T. irfirst duty was to rtnestablish tlrielrempWirs:
and authority of the princes who hail been faithful When
remove the restrictions which now existed. When .
that was done, anti they stood sovereign in the country,. lit
'seen done, however, there would doubtless be an o, plosion
weary be time to think of framing a now government.
change That had always been his opinion, arid he trusted it would
of those passions which had long been pent upeand.if, there-
fore, there wore any delay, the question of au organic .
become that of her Majesty's G
overnment. They had to
mwittthaay.relvfoitluwtiooronipe
in the Government of India might have to be considered
int
wasil'inoynlbyuat
under circumstances of great disadvantage,
Indian empire.
a poet -
He
contend
w iwished
endoht
em coulder el
thinkw i t with i
. ,
es roi:usuotorny Rost,
gtae t enemyv
ow was putreturned
tido w
tou
tree peril, to the best interests of our .
itsiu the
formerfield
condition.t he whol 0
Now, on all these grounds he maintained that if they had
But did any man think utrlanaet during any existing life,
made up their minds—and hetchoosueghtthhote
indications that such was the
some change, it was desir-
tshaew slam': ltia 8;011 of
an Englishman, still less an Englishwoman, would be
able to ass throughrequired
shouldbethe the country with the feeling of
that of making in security and reality of security which they had enjoyed.
East India Company dreaded,
Let them first change for the last one hundred years? The beautiful cme
fidenee between them and the natives had gene.
the first instance a Change
of
Delray. let them proceed, with
the system of
strong,Government, and
united, and unassailable Go- he would not say for ever, but it had gone during
the assistance of a
the •
the life of living men. When they read inn
vernment, to deal wiselymustheand considerately with the great
raised. (Hear, hear.) In speaking terestiog, but painful letters written by persons who had
questions that
introducing party politics into Indian fled for their lives, they could not doubt the people were
of the danger of
against them ; they were hunted from village to village,
questions, the noble earl (Earl Grey) drew a contrast be-
in which the Governor-General was tween the manner stripped, forced to fly, and but rarely found a faithful as.
appointed and the manner in which Lord Terrine was minder to shelter them. It was not a mere hunting of
them;the en
s• ••Lord Torrington was, of course, appointedn by fiendish a'rocities committed were such as Lad
appointed.
the Crown ; but every one knew that, practically, Lord never been heard of
a, before. He had read of men being
e ing was also appointed. by the Crown ; and he had tortured, he had read of injuries done to women, but never
i-i-ortihe slightest doubt that if Lord Canning were guilty in his life before had he read of cruelties practised on chil.
of any act of doubtful character, it would immediately be dren. They had heard of children dying of thirst under
made a question of party politics, as Lord Torn inetou'B the sun of India, and not allowed to take a drop of water
conduct was. Party politics was, he considered. a, nacre from a village well. Such intense international hatrede
bugbear in this case; it was one of those objections to must have proceeded from some deeply seated cause.l,
change which people had gone on repeating again and believed there was such a cause, and on a future
occas
again, because they could not perceive that the circum- he would give their lordships his views on it. One circum.
_
stances under which the objection applied were wholly stance was the apprehension excited in the natives by the
different from those of the present day. There was another spirit of proselytism which was abroad, not directly sane-
question which had great influence in this matter not boned by the Cooyffieorenueoueint,but which, being practised bet
1 high authority, assumed all the .
perhaps in that house, but certainly out of doors- he meant persons in high
the question of party politics. Ile would not anticipate
rosily:OW"! "I .
appearance and. carried all the weight of a °overpraise!
the measure of the Government, but he did entreat their act.
He was himself well aware that the
th privation
rent-free tenures had involved in many cases je believed
lordships to remember what the case with regard to patron-
d the dismiss_
age really was. Here, again, was another instance of tra-
ooffir)ropheartty inherited from distant ancestors. -Ls
t the recent further annexatim as?
a rivalry might ,
ditional feeling. Tyra patronage in India, which was I
really lucrative and important, had long been practically Pearanco of the only remaining potriionteropt for. the, .
have greatly increased that feeling is
in the hands of the Government in India, and it ought to
es in Budelcund, audit
remain there. (Hear.) The patronage which took place in
that feeling had produced; !situ i..
h id Lot know
this
this country was not a patronage to place but a patronage natives laid to the charge of theire-7untrymen. He knew
might have tended to the (7„,etes name might effect pp:
to service ; the Government did not appoint to place, but
the substittition °iff the civil service, but he believe(
they appointed to service. One of the great changes in
reducing is We officers a better
1853 was the throwing open to competition of the whole . frsul4 have she a'
.
civil service of the East India Company, Any man from 4""
`---"ng in the heart
ev t
of p

tlaozity. He only knew two men
ewthoomau
111)inirithte°taf iQnbentdryiejOef he could moot say they were those,
sequi mallent."
into retare maps quam
si
qui x"anciatawhen they get an order, con-
tawny of those gentlemen,
out a report against
eider and discuss it, and ;A length send
on order, an order which ought to have been executed
long before. He believed •the substitution of the name of
the crown would in this respect hive a great effect. (Hear,
hear.) Even under present circumstances the evil was less
than under the old system of appointment to the civil ser-
'ice by the directors. When there was a close connection
between officers and the individual members of the board,
they often ventured to disobey an order, especially if the
Governot..General was not popular with the court, especial;;
that they would be protected at home. (Hear.) He be-
lieved a change of system, and the introduction of the
queen's name, would be particularly gratifying to the na-
tive princes. He would venture to suggest to her Majesty's
Government that they should set aside for future mature
consideration the details of a general measure for altering
the relations between the Board of Directors and the army,
and content themselves with a simple measure to provide
for the Hee of the Quiceu' s name in the adtmsolui
t alterations,
the government, with a few not verylime powr
aye looked with
necessary corollaries to t Ito change"
t to extemporise constitutions;
Great distrust on any atte,AlP nmade constitutions men
time and God's providence 'la° he ht they could throw; ff
With self-sufficient arrogance' of th • o
w.
constitutions to make happ, millions their fello
•
creatures, but they were kafflea by the providence which
despised their infinite smallness.' In the Indian govern-
ment there was much more of p.nactice than of law ; any
attempt to carry out the law wool, 'I bring the government
to a standstill. Mr. Dundee, whet_., .he found his measure
would not work, adopted the system that he found. To
make k good government they should look to the practice
of former times much more than to an V endeavour to make
ab perfect constitution. The Court of Directors, in their
petition, described a perfect council of In 'din, and than said,
We ourselves are the great and noble a aodel, such as an
able President of the Board of Control weuld desire."
The council which he would suggest Ls aid the Presi-
dent of the Board of Control or SecretazY of 3tate' as
the case might be, should be elective, Read might poa-
nese an enlarged constituency, and ihoiala contain re-
presentatives not only of each presidency, but of each
material branch of administration in each presidency.
Bat before that was done he did trust time WOI tld be given
for consideration, so that they would be einabled so to
alter and improve the Government that it should tend to
what they all desired to found—ea eternal empire in India.
(Cheers.)
Lora A.BINGER said that so far as he could understand
the plan of the Government, it was to &vacillate the
Board of Contral to the system of administration pursued
in other colonies. He could not but look on such a change
with suspicion. Let them look to the history of radix for
the last century and a-half, and compare its rise in pro-
sperity and greatness with the fate of other colonies rimier
the undiluted system of colonial government. During that
period the Colonial-office had lost the North Amerieac
colonies, driven Canada to rebellion, "and excited them to
war at the Cape ; it appeared to him that if this system '
was to be introduced into the government of India, the
loss of India was inevitable. Probably many causes con-
curred to produce the present calamitous state of India ;
but no one he thought could doubt that the annexation of
Owls was the proximate cause of the existing state of
things. Was that annexation the act of the Governor-
General or the Board of Control, or the joint act of the
Board of Control and the Court of Directors? He pro.
fused entire ignorance - and the public were in ignorance
on the subject, and yet it was of importance that they
should know the real facts in order to arrive at a right
decision as to the cause of these calamities. He hoped the
Government would, for this reason, countenance the pro-
duction of this correspondence. The annexation of the
Punjaub and Pegu were carried into execution with great
ability and facility, but it did not follow from this that
the annexation of Oude would be equally,successfal. The
noble lord concluded by moving for the correspondence
between the Court of Directors, the Board of Control, and
the late Governor-General of India, relating to the annexa-
tion of Gude; and the correspondence between the said
board and the directors on the same subject.

Earl STALNELOP.E said he did not rise for the purpose of
opposing the motion, but on a point of order. He wished
to knew whether the petition that had been presented by
the noble earl—the merits of which in point of style and
ability Ter: admitted both by him and the noble duke—
should not be printed for the general information of the
house. He begged to suggest to the Government that the
petitic n be painted and circulated for the use of their
lordships.
Earl GRANVILLE said there was a doubt about the
Tule of the house on the point, but the rule generally fol-
lowed was, petitions should not be printed, and there was
the less occasion for it on the present occasion because there
was no member of the house who would not have the peti-
tion in print, if he had not had it already. With regard to
the subject generally, he would not enter upon it in the
present state of the house, and even if it had been full:r,
be should not feel any great necessity for doing so, after
the singularly able and temperate speech of the noble duke.
If that were the proper time, however, there were some
arguments of the noble earl (Grey) which he thought he
could conflate, and some of his facts which he could show
to bewithout foundation, as, for instance, the statement
that ,the Affghan war had been disapproved of by the
Court ef Directors. [Earl Grey here made an observation
which did not reach the gallery.] His noble friend, how-
over, with his usual good sense, did not concur in the only
prayer of the petition, namely, that there should be an in-
quiry.. If there was to be any change at all, he was of
opinkna that the sooner it took place the better. lire was
extremely glad to hear from the noble earl opposite, whose
remarks were of great importance and deserved the utmost
consideration of the house, the declaration that nothing
would have greater effect in India at the present moment
than he Queen's name. He could not conceive anything
more . lesirable and seasonable than that at the moment of
Incipient pacification,measures should be taken here which
the nc,ble earl told them would have the most soothing
effect on the whole population of India, ensure the more
ready obedience of European subjects there, and be grate-
ful to the native princes of India. (Hear, hear.) This
was th e reason why her Majesty's Government thought it
MeCeIND try to bring a measure before the house. They
thougl it it right, not as was generally supposed, to change
the wl sole government of India —but to introduce a roes-
cure ha. the simplification of that government by the in-
troduction of the Queen's name, and altering a system
Thigh in. theory and practice was admitted to be most
faulty. He hoped both houses of Parliament would well
weigh tine alternative—either of carrying this measure,
Which news not to destroy the India House, but to remove
the Court of Directors, retaining the services of such men
os the nedole earl opposite referred to, and affording the
people cif India the advantage of being governed in the
ti.neelfe name, or of having the government of India still
condatct4 Kl by that company, after the clamour which had
been run ed against it—after it had been condemned in a
long and, matured speech by the leader of the Conservative
par,ty in the other house—and after the opinions which
La 4 been delivered by the best folloween of Sir R. Peel.
He could not conceive anything more calculated to create
an injurious impression in the minds of the people of In-
dia, and on the subjects of the crown in India, than that
Sort of daisy which would leave ambiguity existing as to
the fat' ire government of India, and the measures of the
govern went open to attacks on all sides.
The Earl of DERBY said the state of the house was
certainly not such as to encourage a continuation of the
diseuse ion, but, still he was induced to rise by the state-
ment which had jest been made by the noble earl opposite.
Be must s;sy that if it was the intention of her Majesty's
Government to do nothing more on the present occasion
than what, was stated by the noble earl—though at the
present ti me and under existing circumstances he did not
mean to say it world be judicious even to do that— but if
It relay were the intention of her Majesty's Government
to make a mere alteration of form, and not one of substance
In the government of India, they kept the country and the
East India Company in the most profound ignorance, and
created unnecessary alarm by the intimation which they
gave to the East India Company that it was their inten-
tion to abolish the double government of India. Could any
man suppose, after such an intimation, that the inten-
tion of her Majesty's government was to do nothing more
than make an alteration in point of form—that the
exietin4 state of things was to be left untouched, with this
diffaret cc only, that the government of India was to be
condueied in the name of the Crown and not of the Com-
rally? If this was all that was really intended in the first
anstanos, her Majesty's government must be fit subjects for
a lunatic asylum in not explaining their views more clearly
to the East India Company. When her Majesty, in the
speech from. the throne, told them that the affairs of India
would require their serious consideration, and recom-
mended them to their serious attention, did the govern-
ment intend to move for a committee, or were they going
to legislate on their own responsibility ? Neither the East
India Company nor the country could say what they were
going t o do. In a short time, however, they gave notice
that they were going to do away with the double govern-
ment ; and whn the East India Company very naturally
asked what the government were going to substitute for it,
the government replied, " We have told you that we are
going to do away with the double eovernment, but what
the* government have in contemplation it will be time
enough for you to know when parliament meets." If they
meant to do nothing more than what they were now given
to Understand it was their intention to do, he must say
they created great and unnecessary alarm, and treated the
Emit India Company with the greatest want of courtesy. If
the Mean"e was to be an insignificant and formalone they
should have told the East India Company teat fact, which
would have removed a eat deal of the apprehension which
prevailed. Eat the real fact was, they did not know them-
mindsha they were
before parliament do. t They had not made up their
tabu's to an extensive measurern They then made up their
met. They
which they expected the
Bald India Company would submit, but finding the diffi-
culties greater thin they expected, they now seemed to fall
batik from their original intention ; and he was prepared to
guit aontovmetelaisure brought forward
see a Lima-able and insi
ear, hear.)
en the part of her Majesty
immediate
He did not anticipate the immemnseent.aLd(rill
Ellen-
advantage which his noble friend (the
boron Ii) looked for from the substituAttioanu oevfeotnfites name
of-
he Queen for that of the company.
they that were so or not, it was most unfortunate th'at her
Ilajestra government should have taken upon themselves
to-introduce at this moment, and under present circura!
stain:ea any change at all. (Hear.) If the state of India
were ss,ch as his noble friend opposite described ; if India
vete h deed in a state of incipient pacification; if peace
were la stored, and our supremacy re-established, he could
%lidera and that great advantage might arise from the in-
troduction of the Queen's name as the dispenser of mercy
and the restorer of concord. Bat he was sure the govern-
ment deceived themselves and the public if they persuaded
themselves, or sought to persuade the country, that they
hid an ived at that stage in which it could he said that our
victory was complete, and that pacification had commenced.
For hie owu part, whether the measure was great or small,
be deprecated the introduction of such a question and the
rising of differences between her Majesty's government and
Cie East India Company at the present moment. The
circumstances were sufficiently grave, the position
sufficiently difficult, and the state of affairs sufficiently
eiitical, to engross the whole and undivided attention of
the government and the East India Company for the pur-
pose of putting down the existing revolt, and restoring the
supremacy of the crown and the company ; and yet it was
at snob a moment, and under such circumstances, that her
Majesty's government thought fit to introduce a subject
Which was sure to excite differences, and distract the at-
tention of the government and the East India Company
from that common, prompt, and energetic action which
was required to restore tranquility to India. (Hear.) It
appeared perfect madness to raise the question at this
time. He understood from the noble earl that the mea-
stare was one of a much less serious character than was
supposed; but any measure regarding the government of
India would require serious and mature deliberation ; but
he believed the public was not then prepared for a measure

of this kind, not was that the period in which it could be
safely and propel ly introduced.
The motiox w 1 s then agreed to, and their lordships ad-
journed at Irafqx tat 8.

110IISE COMMONS.—(YESTARDAT.)
The SPEAKER t OD• k the chair at 4 o'clock,
rims 'ATE BUSINESS.
On the motion i`or title second reading of the Royal
Mail Steam Packet and ]European and Australian Royal
Mail Company's Bill,
Mr. MACARFNEY complained that the post-office
service to Australia had been taken from the Peninsular
a.na Oriental Steam Navigation, and given to the Euro-
, tan and Australian Royal Mail Steam-packet Company,
greatly increased amiount of contract, but which they
ha ,d been utterly unable to carry out, and wished other
companies to take the contract off their hands, which
the refused to do, although they had aided them by
the Joan of their vessels-
Aft er a few words from Mr. H. BIBEELET, in
confirroation, the bill was read a second time.
NEW WRITS.

On the motion of Mr. HAYTER a new writ wag
granted fur Wicklow (County) in the room of Lord MP
ton, called to the Upper House as Lord Fitzwilliam.

PAILLIA-MrNTARY REFORM.
Mr. J. _BRIGHT presented a petition from Bir-
mingham pra bag for Parliamentary Reform.
jCJYERNMENT OFFICES.
Mr. TITE asiced the First Commissioner of Works
ps had beep taken with reference to the pro.
posedwhat tesnew Government offices at Downing-street ?
Sir B. HALL itaid the Government was limited to
the small site grantod by the bill of 1855, between
Downing-street on the North, and Crown-street on the
south. A correspondence bad taken place on the sub-
ject between the Foreign-offioe and the Treasury, which
Government would lay upon table, if it were moved
for. It was proper to erect a Foreign-office there.
Mr. TITE thee moved for the cooespondence, which
was granted.