The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-08 00:00:00

operations of Gwalior, but I entertain a different opi-
nion. How can that difference of opinion be settled ex-
cept by the production of the papers?" Now, what I
doubted was whether there were sufficient grounds for
the production of the papers.--(Laughter.) Sir, no
doubt a difference of opinion has prevailed with
respect to the recal of Lord ElleetThrough. No doubt
the Court of Directors had a right to recal Lord
Ellenborough, and her Majesty's Government no doubt
dissented from the course which they pursued, believing
that there was nothing in Lord Ellen borough's conduct
which made it wise or just, that he should be recalled.
Lord Ellenborough's conduct met with their full appro-
bation, considering the present state of India compared
with that in which they found it. Looking to the
Manner in which he performed his duties, looking to his
whole conduct throughout his administration, nothing
had passed in their opinion to diminish the confidence
which they had placed in him. But the Court of Direc-
tors, having full power, took a different view of the sub-
ject, and exercised the powers which they possessed.
I Was asked when this matter was last under discussion,
whether or no I considered the executive Government
responsible for the administration of affairs in India
after what had passed ? My answer to that question
was, that, without reference to the differences which had
existed, the Government would feel it to be their duty to
take those measures which appeared to them best calcu-
lated to diminish any hazard which might arise from the
recal of Lord Ellenborough.—(Hear, hear.) The ques-
tion which we had to consider, after the Court had de-
termined on the recal of Lord Ellenborough, was what
should be done with respect to the appointment of a new
Governor-General. We might have said to the Court of
Directors, "You have acted upon the provisions of the
lase in recalling Lord Ellenborough ; act upon those
Peo-visions also with respect to the appointment of a suc-
cessor select the man whom you think qualified to exer-
else this high trust under the possibly increased difficulties
walch may arise from the recal of Lord Ellenborough ;
netify to us your selection, and the Crown will inform
You whether it sanctions the choice. We felt it our
duty, however, to pursue a different course, and we de-
rnined
to act in friendly concert with the Court of
Directors _(Cheers.) The Court appealed to the Govern-
mento act upon the ordinary usage with respect to the
hadlirLi°ll,_of Lord Ellenborough's successor. Sir, I
Elanii&ews.with the Chairman and Deputy-Chair-
- of the Court of Directors, and I recommended that
all Past differences slAould be merged in considering the
9uestion what course it was best to pursue under the ex-
isting circumstances. I said, " You have appealed to her
Majesty's Government in the appointment of a successor
to Lord Ellenborough ; on the
part of the Government, I
ttn willing to enter into concert with you for that purpose.
out I will
n suggest no one on the part of the Govern-
ment, unless I feel assured that the person nominated
will command the eonfidence of the Court; and unless it
approved
robable, that the line of policy pursued will be
hie
ht Hon. Friend, Sir Henry Hardinge.—(Loud
u.) I said that I thought upon the whole,
t'n, the present condition of India, from
his
long experience in his public character,
uis military eminence, and his great experience in civil '
affairs, my Right Hon. Friend was the man who was
hest calculated to undertake the office of Governor-
General ; and I was informed at once by the Chairman
to Deputy-Chairman that the same name had occurred
so them and they assured me that no person could have
been selected who would be so acceptable to the Court.
----(Cheers.) I said at once that I would undertake to
propose the office of Governor-General to my Right
on. Friend. In performing this promise I stated to
'urn that he commanded the confidence both of the
Crown and of the Court, and I urged him to permit no
Privates considerations to deter him from undertaking
this great responsibility. Sir, my Right Hon. Friend
id not hesitate. He at once accepted this trust ; but
lt13? firmopinion is that he accepted that trust from the
highest and purest considerations of public duty.
(Loud cheers.) My Right Honourable Friend
:ill proceed by the next packet to undertake his new
°ties ; and no consideration on earth shall induce me
to fetter his administration by sending out in the same
racket detailed correspondence of the nature and ex-
tent of the A differences which had existed.—(Cheers.) I
o )lope that the House of Commons will not call upon
e Crown to produce that correspondence ; and I ask
the Right Hon. Gentlemen opposite whether they do not
concur with me in opinion, that the production of the
papers might be injurious to the public interest ? lam
quite sure that no personal considerations will influence
tl their course with respect to this matter. The Hon. Gen-
-Denten (Mr. Hume) said in his speech that my Noble
-riend, the Duke of Wellington, had accused the Court
.71 Directors of indiscretion. Why I never heard the
'lb ?IL Gentleman attack the Government before, without
haing much harsher expressions. The sole question,
Wowever, is, whether the production of those, papers
ould be for the public interest. Believing that it would
Clot, I shall offer the motion my decided opposition.
a fMr. ASTELL said that when addressing the House
iW nights ago, he had asked them to suspend their
segment. If the Court of Directors were attacked,
irieY Would be prepared to defend themselves. What
meat4Y had done they had done under an Act of Parliae
-, and they were above all personal considerations.
-.;ir object had been simply the removal of Lord
fdtllthnborough from the Governor-Generalship of India.
saabl°Pinion the publication of the papers would be
yinjurious ; and, notwithstanding what had been
by his Ron. Friend opposite, he should not give him
'„.__suPPort on the present occasion.
e,,,Z-r• NOGG said, that what he stated on a former oc-
he Was, that it was his own opinion and belief, and
e believed his colleagues were of the same opinion, that
publi-
cation of
Government
would b proper and fit to leave it to her Majesty's
-"ernrnenet to exercise their discretion as to the
the papers; and he stated his belief and con-
viction that, in the exercise of that discretion, they
~:ould be influenced by what was conducive to the pub-
lic interest. That was his individual opinion; and
When he communicated with his colleagues, he was
he
then
heP7act° say that they were unanimous in the opinion
expressed. It was essentially necessary
thate the Governor of India should possess the joint con-
tttlf,e of her Majesty's Government and the Court of
(love . "'Goner 1
arid for that reason the appointment of the
of Dirtor a was the join •• t act of the Court
the same 3 and her Majesty's Government; and for
lhaer reason, namely, that theGovernorshouldpessess
joint confidence of both, the law made his recal se-
t;eate•---(llear, hear,) It did not become him to say
se-
more than that the Court of Directors exercised
tr
ell▪ *
right under an imperious sense of public duty, and
Gs! came to the resolution of recalling the Governor-
-"oral with the utmost reluctance and with great pain ;
kid even though the Court of Directors should remain
tart to any imputation, he, as an individual, would
sieuer remain subject to that than vote for the produc-
NbePapers which were considered detrimental to the
ve_ c interest.—(Hear, hear.) The Court of Directors
aide influenced solely by a regard to the public interest,
~k 1 they would stand ill before the public if they per-
eTitet:d.themselves to be influenced by any personal con-
-4s t ations whatever, or any considerations except such
the heY conceived would be conducive to the interests of
she Country. His opinion was that the production of
Ge a°rrespondence sought for by the motion of the Hon.
terntleinen
would be injurious—most injurious, if not dan-
Alus---to the safety of India.
rvenir,; MACAULAY hoped that the Hon. Gentleman
134,-" not press his motion at the present time. He
N,i;ttglit it would seem ungracious to the Noble Lord
ratLwas so deeply implicated in the inquiry, and whose
11-1•"' was expected to this country, not to wait until
if had arrived. It was that feeling which led him (Mr.
4etei 9') to postpone the motion of which he had
top Ythgtven notice. He thought it would be advisable
Press--,,e; on. Gentleman to put off his motion for the
es ;
con but he must say he had heard no argument to
G0,7e0 him that on a future occasion, when the
the'rnelllor-General should have returned to this country,
e-'°tion now made ought not to be renewed and granted.
itv:er there was a case in which Parliament ought to
that there
information, it was this case. Certain it was,
part (7ere was misconduct somewhere, either on the
Qess; thei Government in continuing the Governor-
reetn-,4., In office or on the part of the Board of Di-
rhe -‘8 In recalling him. Let them take which horn of
aw,..!1
lemma they pleased. A noble personage con-
li"•"°,sh, With the Government said, the recal of Lord
Aitt
-seorou.sh
was an act of the greatest indiscretion
nob], agd
taken place during his recollection. If that
ale Personage spoke the sentiments of the Govern-
thellttue Government must have considered the act of
thee -fatrd of Directors an act of greater indiscretion
aad ""e Walcheren expedition, or the Bill of pains
Aisietenalties against the Queen. This was a charge
Wese Ought not to be made, unless those who made it
that PrePared to substantiate it.—(Hear.) It was said
the ',stile East India Directors had acted with
the,reatest rashness and indiscretion. Then, if so,
rtes they unfit to be entrusted with the high powers
wesseeeY exercised. And if they were unfit to be en-
-I%e(itia, with these powers, Parliament ought to be made
Nputi„nst'ed with the reasons • but it was not fair to throw
ieeeoon..
on the Board oiDirectors, which might pre-
ssaa•'" Public mind of this country againit them.
_se
th,, content, for his part, to postpone his demand for
hld, Papers until Lord Ellenborough returned to Eng-
lides,:tN until his conduct was brought under the con-
14eneontrol
thee, °TI of Parliament. But unless those papers were
the granted, it might be truly said there was an end to
lined aßkillgl h t of the House of Commons over the Govern-
Thet--there was an end to the responsibility of Ministers.
lion. Baronet bad, with his usual dexterity
, evaded the question which had been put to him.
kg had
glided, almost instantaneously, from the
presto the future—(Hear, hear)—and turned from the
teuehn tor antecedent administration of Lord Ellenbo-
sthe administration of his successor, which was
bang about to commence in India. He would not then
before the House any particular act of Lord Ellen-
les4igh's, but he would again say that it was not fair to
'wet th House and the country in this state of uncer:
Y, nor to attempt to prejudice the public mind
z•
rnst the Court of Directors. A Noble Lord, con-
kird With the Ministry, at least one who gave them
restaaPPart, said that the power which the Board of Di-
ors at present possessed should be taken from them,
sulnst
Ivas both anomalous and absurd ; but he (Mr. Mac-
felt?) did not think it either anomalous or absurd, and he
his duty, although not immediately connected with
the'card of Directors, to stand up for the charter and
stpo East India Board of Directors. This was a
par-Which,, he thought, they had hitherto exercised
he
salutary and proper manner, and which
. promised should not be taken from them without a
Luc, struggle; but with respect to the exercise of that
pe,ser .11 the present instance, since there were no
ttyers laid before the House to help its judgment,
Ze_Ye should not hastily pronounce against the Board of
ctors. Ile would r.ot touch upon any sins-le act a
4.°N
.I)ireEllenborough's, but merely refer to the Court of
entJtors in the pre
sent instance. The Court was
the;!re, tines. They knew how the Court was composed.
a .Y Knew that there were to be found in that Court
great
them,. number of men eminently qualified to judge of
ley of the Governor-General ; and he did not
liege that the most ignorant ten gentlemen, members