Glasgow Courier. — 1858-02-09 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

XVII. of 18.57, by which cognisance was the first time given to them of offences of a purely military character. First, in regard to men belonging to regiments chiefs have not mutinied, the civil authorities were directed to punish as deserters those only who were found with arms in their hands. If guilty of rebellion they could be puninhed as rebels apart from their military character ; but if charged with or suspected of desertion alone, and not found with arms in their possession, they were to be sent back to their regiments, or detained in prison pending the orders of the government. If sent back to their regiments they would of course be dealt with by the military authorities according to their guilt or innocence. Second, in regard to men belonging to regiments which have mutinied, but which have not killed their officers or committed any other sanguinary crime, or whose regiments cannot be ascertained, the civil officers were directed to punish as mutineers only those who were found with arms in their possession, or who were charged with a specific act of rebellion, or whom for special reasons it might be necessary to punish forthwith. All others were to be sent to Allahaliad, or to such other place as the government might order, to be dealt with by the military authorities. Third, in regard to men belonging to regiments which have mutinied and killed any European, or committed any other sanguinary outrage, the civil authorities were directed to try and sentence as mutineers all such persons, and to punish forthwith all who could not show either that they were not present at the murder or other outrage, or that if present they did their utmost to prevent it. These exceptional cases were to he reported to the government. 29. It has not been found that these orders are difficult of execution, or that they have tended in the le, et degree ! to weaken the hands of the civil power in dealing with those who have been really guilty of mutiny or desertion, to say nothing of graver crimes. If they have saved innocent men front unjust punishment their object has been ea far attained. Upon the action of courts-martial, or upon the proceedings of any military authority whatsoever, they neither were intended to have, nor have they had, any restrictive effect. Their tendency, on the contrary, so far as military tribunals are concerned, is to extend the jurisdiction of those tribunals, and to transfer to them cases which hi ordinary course would have been dealt with by civil officers. They impose no labour upon the European troops, the transport of the arrested men to Allahabad or other military Stations being assigned to the police or local guards. tr ieebselt witnotthobe thoughnhge first attempt to ip73i wstOie.,nr...lonerf:ruisi el:: ate ow: ndltr bed. itdht necessaryhet h had o cdirib ie treatmentlin nt entrusted,htooh frei restore order in a district in which the civil authority had been entirely overthrown, to administer the law w I h such promptitude and severity as will strike terror into the minds of the evil disposed among the people, and will induces them, by the fears of death, to abstain front plunder, to restore stolen property, and to return to peaceful occupations ; yet, when this object was once in a great degree attained, that the punishment of crimes should be regulated with discrimination;' and in the 10th paragraph, after pointing oat the difficulties that would probably be caused by the administration of the law in its extreme severity after the requisite impression had been made upon the rebellious and disorderly, and after order had been partially restored, we desired the civil authorities to encourage all persons to return to their occupations, postponing all minute inquiry into past politital offences, but punishing the prineipal