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Leader (1850-1860), 5th December 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1156, Untitled Article

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      to a Committee of the House of Commons , who would also inquire Into the causes which had led to its present suspension . He denied that ottr Indian empire is now in peril , but joined Lord Derby in eulogizjiiig its military and civil servants ; As far ^^ as regarded the proposed Reform Bill , he could only say that , as soon as Parliament meets in February , the Government will be ready to give a most free and ample account of the details of their intended measures . Tbe Earl of Eti ^ BOROuaH reproached the GoVernna e with want of energy , and with the loss of time they had occasioned in sending out the troops to India . —The Duke of ARGTtii denied that any want of energy had been e 3 thibHed >— -The Earl of Hakd-¦ v aqkE remarked that none but steam-vessels should have been / employed in ; transmitting troops to India .

      > -r-Earl GRier and Lord OverstoiNte expressed their regret that there is no immediate intention on the part of the ^ Government to propose any alteratioiv in the Bank Act « fl 844 . ~ The Earl of EGiiipoN thought that Ministers ought to have a permissive power to relax the Bank Charter Act , —Lord Moktbagle urged : their Lordships not to allow that act to remain in its present unsatisfactory state ; but he was prepared to give entire approval to an Act ' of Inderanity for the suspension of the law ; in question , as he believed that , without an increased issue of notes , the Bank of England would have been forced to stop . — -The Address was then agreed to . Their Lordships adjournedat eleven o ' clbck :-- ^ Previous to the commencement of business , Lord Maca ^ xtlay was introduced by . ' Lords . Cajupbeuj and ¦ Belper , and took the oaths . ' ¦" ¦ ;' - ' ' . .- ; ; ¦ . ¦ ^ - ¦ . : ¦ ' ¦^\ .:. ' - 'y : - '' :- ' - : - .. [¦ : ' . ¦ . ¦ ¦' - -. ' . " ; , ' ¦

      ; la the H&dse -otf ; Commons ( Sybich resumed , at a quarter to four } , some routine business , in . the shape of the issue of new writs for vacant boroughs , &c ; , and notices ofmotion , ; was transacted ; after which , Mr . Wykbhabi Maktin : moved the answer to the Address in a speech of a similar nature to that delivered 5 n the Upper House by Lord Portman , arid was seconded by ' Mrv Akroyd . The first-named gentleman ^ though , applauding the temporary violation of the Bank Act of 1844 , thought the main provisions of the lneasure satisfactory ; while his' seccuider spoke very unfavourably of the act generally ^ and ; was ; of opinion that Government wouldhave done well in interfering at an earlier period .- .. ; : . ¦'¦ ¦ . . ; : v . - '" . ;' ¦ '¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' ; " 3 ;" ' v "^ - ¦' .. ' . ¦ : . ' ::: ' / ¦ ¦¦•' ' '• "¦ .. "

      Mr . DiSBMBaa said it appeared tlat the Bank had riot applied to the Government , but that the Government hadre ^ rnmehded the Bank to transgress the limits fixed in 184 ^; . Th e House , therefore , before passing a -Bill of Indemnity , should require to be ; informed of the reasons which had induced Ministers to take that course . The Chancellor of the Exchequer had given notice of a motionto reappoiht the BankCorrttnittee oflast session ; but he , for one , must condemn these frequent inquiries . Did the Government mean to stand by the Act of 1844 , or not ? If the answer were in the affirmative , he should demur to a Bill of Indemnity . But , if Ministers should announce that they are prepared to recommend a new measure which . would remedy acknowledged

      grievances , and make a satisfactory settlement cf this great question , it would be the duty of the House to accord indemnity . With respect to foreign affairs , to China and to India , Mr . Disraeli expressed himself to the same effect as Lord Derby had done in the House of Lords , and pronounced a high eulogium on our Indian heroes . " Government , however , should give some explanation of the paragraph in the speech which said : ' The affairs of my East Indian dominions will require your serious consideration ; and I recommend them to your earnest attention . ' It appeared to be a compromise paragraph ; as if somebody wished to do something about India , and somebody else wished that something should not be done . Everybody knows the evils of a double Government . Bnt the evils of recent occurrence in India were not the result of detail , but of system , and neglect , and

      unpreparedness . If a measure on the subject were introduced , doubtless the House would give due attention ; but in a speech from the throne , or at all events in the discussion which followed it , frankness is indispensable . " ( Hear , hear . ') Relative to the paragraph on the Reform question ^ he expressed a hope that the measure would be framed , not for the purpose of favouring a party , but to promote the public -weal . " He would , go farther , and say that , unless so framed , it could not be forced through the House . In 1857 , the country ia more learned on this subject tlian in 1882 . The bellowing of ' the Bill , the whole BUI ; and nothing : but the Bill , ' had taught us all a lesson ; ftnd all the public men who had joined in it had since been obliged to do public penance . " ( 4 laugh . ) The proposed Reform Bill should bo produced on an early day , and perhaps the noble Premier would name a day that night .

      Lord Pajumkrston ( after alhwling to the good-humour and ' levity of wit' which , then , as always , distinguished Mr . Disraeli ) maintained the propriety and consistency of the course pursued , with respect to the Bank A ct , by th . o Government , which hod beon compelled to do what uo Government ought to do without grave reasons . Referring to tho heroic deeds of our commanders in India , he announced ( amidst great applause ) his intention , at an early duy , to bring down a Messngo from the Crown on the subject of making a provision for Sir Honry Havelock . The motion was then agreed to , and tho House adjourned at a quarter to eight o ' olock .

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      The Overland IndianMail , bringing full details of those events which wer 6 briefly intimated in our columns last week by means ofthe telegraph , arrived in London at a late hour oh Saturday night . Delhi is now no longer the great centre of interest . It ia said to be almost deserted , and the very cats thereare described as dying of starvation . The story of Brigadier Hodson having shot the sons of the King of Delhi with his b \ rn hands is confirmed . He pointed out to them the hideous nature of their crimes , and then asked his men what punishment they deserved . The ) men replied , ^ Instant ( death ! ' > upoii which Hodson drew

      his revolver , and shot them one after another . A column of our Delhi troops has gone to Allyghur and Agra ; another towards Nleerut , with the intention , it is supposed , of reaching Mppzuffernugger , where there have been disturbances ; and a third to the Kootub . The latter returned to canip with about 30 , 000 rupees in coin / a large number of elephants , camels , &c ., and one thousand women . It is affirmed that the body ; of a woman was found crucified inside the palace at Delhi when our men entered . The city , says report ^ is to remain as it is , with the exception of the Jumna Musjid and the defences , which are to be levelled . General Penny has succeeded to the command , and General . Wilson ( who is indisposed ) returns to his old command at Meerut . Police are in course of organization at iJelniand it is

      , anticipated that civ il rule Will soon be again instituted . A good many of the ' native civilians have escaped into neighbouring states '•;•'¦ but several were undoubtedly killed in their hidingplaces by our troops . " Many of the most useful and least guilty of the . 'inhabitants , ' ' such as clothmerchants , jewellers , &c . / ' says the writer of a letter , - "; were among those who suffered , The British have acted with extreme leniency towards these ; savages , and , ^ had they given themselves tip , instead of concealing themselves in their houses , they would have had their lives spared- " Our sappers , It appears , / weie fired upon front the roofs of houses , and . ¦ ¦ from behind walls , by seveiat of the natives ; A party of EngUshsoldiers , therefore , ' went in search Of these ; persons * and " a thousand of them ¦ were'killed . ' ¦ . ¦• •^ - ¦ x -- .. : . :-: ' :: : ¦ ¦ ¦! - ¦ : r - ' . ¦ . ¦¦; ... ¦'" . ¦ ¦• ¦ . •¦" . ' . ¦ ¦" •¦ ¦ . ' •¦ •• '¦" , '

      An officer who took part in the assault on Delhi communicates a . somewhat different account of the shooting of the princes by Hodson to that giyen above .: On his entering-the enceinte of the tomb where the princes had concealed therhsejyes ; from five to six thousand of the scuin of the city and paLace were found , armed with weapons and missiles ; "It was indeed an hour of trial , when a bold front and determined voice were of more avail than even a sharp sword . Wonderful to s ' ay , not a man of the gallant little band , was hit ; and , on . ; Hodson sternly reiterating his demand for instant surrender , they began to lay down theii arms . Five hundred swords , and twice that number ; of fire-arms , besides horses , elephants , &c .,

      were collected in less than an hour and a half , without another blow being struck . Hodson and his men then rooved-warily off to the city ; at a short distance from the walls , they found the bhylie was halte d , with much rabble collected around , ; who turned on the little party as they rode up . This was no time for hesitation or delay : Hodson dashed at once into the midst ; in few-j but energetic words , explained ' that these were the men who had not only rebelled against the Government , but had ordered and witnessed the massacre and shameful exposure of innocent women and children , and thus , therefore , the Government punished such traitors taken in open resistance , ' shcoting them down at the word . The effect was instantaneous and wonderful : not another

      hand was raised , not anothor weapon levelled ; and the Mahomedans of the troop , and some influential Moulavics among the bystanders , exclaimed , as if by simultaneous impulse , ' Well and rightly done ! Their crime has met with its just penalty : these were they who gave tho signal for the doath of helpless women and children , and outraged decency by the exposure of their persons ; and now a righteous judgment has fallen on them . God is great ! ' Tho remaining weapons were then laid down , and the crowd slowly and quietly dispersed . The bodies were then carried into tho city , and thrown out on the very spot whero the blood of their innocent victims still stained the earth . They remained there till tho 24 tli , when for sanitary reasons they wore removed from the Chibootra front of the Kotwallee .

      The same writer thus relates some of the other exploits of Hodson ;—" On the morning on which the city and palace were finally evacuated , the whole of the available Cavalry moved out through the suburbs in the direction of , but not on the road to , the Kootub , and marched to the top of the hill on which stands tho ' Eedgab , ' from thonco overlooking tho camp of tho Bareilly and Nussoorabad mutineers under « General' Bukhtawur Khan , quondam Subahdnr of Artillery . It was soon perceived , by unmistakable signs , that the camp was being evacuated , and soon after a loud explosion took place , which told to practised cars that tho robels wore blowing up their ammunition previous to a flight . Hodson ' s hurkarus

      coming ; at the moment confirmed the fact . Hodson immediately got leave to report it to the General cal loping on his way right along the front of the citv to see if ^ his was clear al so . He th en obtained permission from tlie General to get to the -rebel camp i ^ elf to see how the land lay . He started at once with his second m command , M'Dowell , and seventy-five sowars androdP right round the city to the Delhi gate , havhig but few shots fired at them , and clearing the road of strav rebeW as they went along . They found tlie camp allMt emptv - —they soon made it quite so—and , tlie Delhi gate opeiV They Irought away three guns left by the eaerhy arid

      made arrangeuients for bringing ; in the empty tents &e They Tecovered the ;; mess plate of the 60 th Native Ial fantry , their standards , stripped however , and band instruments ; polishingoflf the big drunnmer f wLo , with Ms niyrmidoHs , gave some trouble ^ If ex t day , Hodson asked and obtained ; permission to go after the King , whose capture , withi that of his favourite wife ( mother to the heir apparent ) , he successfull y accomplished at the cost only of vast fatigue , some fghting , and imminent risk . His Majesty was courteously disarmed , and then escorted into the city . "

      The principal traitors arjiong the ; Mahomedim gentry ' .. at ' . 'Delhi' were being arrested at ^^ the last advices , with the 'intention of bringing them to trial ; Two naorb of the King of Delhi ' s sons have been condemned to death by a military commission ; and the King himself was alsoi to be arraigried . ; The state of affairs at Luckhow is not so satisfactory as the telegrams 16 d most people to believe . It is true that the number of our troops ; theie has beeli increased ; but we have , been unable to force ' - ' ttie ' : ' in ' - , surgeiits tc > ^ raise ^^ the siege , though we ; have established ourselves in the Residency * and some portion of the city ; The wounded , the baggage and beasts of

      burden , ; arid one thousand men ( some accounts Include the women and children from Xuckriow ) are entrenched at A Iturribagh , about three rriiles from LucknoHT , Avhere they are quite isolated ; and tjvb expeditions ^ ha-ve : ' failed in ehdeaypuring to release tliein from tliis ; peril , though one of the expeditions succeeded in bringing in supplies . ; The comixiuriicatHin With Havelock and Qutram at Jjucknow is effectuaily cut off by the rebels ; and tlipse two cornnianders are in ; want of provisions and reinforcements . It was believed , lipSrever , ^ ^ that these would speedily arrive . Such , in general terms , is the position in and near the : pudeancapital live ; npvv subjoin from tlie Bombay Tiines a niore : particular account :-- : :

      " The enemy had a formidable eiitrenchnient thrown up aud armed witlv fifty pieces of cannon ,: at a place called ' . ^ Llluinbagli ' ,- ; a country ; residence of tlie , princes of the' rrinces of Oude , about three miles from Luckno ' wy on the Cawnjiore side . It is described as donsisting of a large house , -w-ith a high wall all around , and an enclosure of abotit five hundred yards square . Here began the first of a series of contests , ¦ which lasted more than twelve hours . Qur men having captured all the guns and driven , the enemy from their outwork , it was found sufficiently strbng to be liiaintaiaed by a party of the 64 th Foot , under IVIajor Sibley , untl here accordingly the sick , the wounded , aud the baggage were left behind . Betwixt Allumbagli arid Luckriow is an extensive plain ,

      traversed by a wide canal . Havelock , with the main body of the force , crossed this by a bridge , Avhich the enemy , hanging close upon bur ; rear , immediately destroyed , occupying a position on the bank of the canal ^ so a . 8 to divide the two portions of our force from each other . Nearly a , day was occupied by General Havelock in forcing his way to the Residency through the city . The resistance was determined , and the casualties ( nearly five hundred out of a force of two thousand ) ¦ very severe . On reaching the Residency , lie was still fired on l > y the enemy from batteries recently thrown up , Avhicli were stormed in succession , and carried at the point of tho bayonet . ; Here fell the gallant General Neill—alike the hero and the idol of the army—with

      Majors Perrin , and Lieutenants Graham , Preston , and Nunn , ' of her Majesty ' s 90 th . Hero also fell Colonel Hamilton , Captain Hay , and Lieutenant Swanson of the 78 th , < Lieutenant Haigh of the 5 th Fusiliers , besides Captain Shute , and Lieutenants Turner and Batoman , of the 64 th , with above thirty . wounded , many o f them severely . Tho communications betwixt the two . portions of bur . force being thus completely cut oft ' , those betwixt A-lltinibagliand Cawnpore wove very imperfectly maintained . On the 26 th of September , severe fighting continued , and for the noxt foxir days heiivy firing' was almost incesatuit . By this timo , aboyo two milos of tlio

      town had fallen into our hands , and tho' weakness of our for < ee alone prevented the remainder from being secured . Havolock had reached Lucknow with Uyo 'thousand eight hundred men in all . Of these , nearly six hundred had been disabled ; about aa many more had been left at A . lluinbagli ; so that , - \ vlion joined to the lleaidcncy garrison , about one thousand strong , hy had scarcely Ins original number , to meet t [ force of above fifty thousand in tho field against him , though with courage and management such as could bo ¦ relied upon , enough to maintain themselves ia the llesidcncj ' , « nd bombanl and cannonade th « city .

      M For a timo , our force was separated , ' Hftveloclc , at tho Baleo Guard , being cut off from all communication "with Outram . They arc luckily onco more reunited . On tho 8 r < . ] of October , a convoy of thrco hundred men of the

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 5, 1857, page 1156, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2220/page/4/