The

count of the state of agricultural produce | position to pay these large taxes. in Ireland. It was one of the most im- consequence of the imposition of these portant and, at the same time, one of the taxes had been great disturbances; and he inost satisfactory returns that had ever wished therefore to ask whether the noble been laid before Parliament. The return Earl the Secretary for the Colonies had showed the amount of agricultural stock any objection to lay on the table the ordiarranged in baronies. Their Lordships, nances by which the taxes had been imtherefore, would be enabled at a glance to posed? see the amount of stock in any district in Ireland. There was also annexed an account of the proportion of large and small holdings in each barony. He need not say how important such a document would be in all discussions relating to Irelandas the return gave most ample details of the capital and stock employed in agricultural pursuits. He could not lay this return on the table without doing justice to the unwearied labours and assiduity of Major Larcom, who had prepared this document. He might also state, and he was desired to do this by his noble Friend the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, that this return could not have been compiled by Ma

EARL GREY said, the information of the noble Earl was extremely inaccurate. It was perfectly true that new taxes had been imposed, but it was to replace very large ones that had been removed. No serious disturbances had taken place, as the noble Lord had stated. He (Earl Grey) had no objection to lay the papers on the table. House adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

Thursday, August 31, 1848.

MINUTES.] PUBLIC BILLS.-1o Poor Law Charges Dis-
tribution.

Reported.-Copper and Lead Duties; Poor Law Auditors
Proceedings Restriction.

jor Larcom if he had not been assisted by 30 and passed:-Exchequer Bills; Consolidated Fund

Not

one of the most valuable bodies of men
that had ever been organised in any coun-
try-he meant the police in Ireland.
long ago it was his duty to call their Lord-
ships' attention to the gallantry and acti-
vity, vigilance and industry, of that va-
luable body of men at a time-at a crisis
when the public safety depended so much
on their exertions. It was, therefore, pe-
culiarly grateful to him to call their Lord-
ships' attention to their services in another
way, and to state to their Lordships, that
not only was the Irish police the most ad-
mirably disciplined body of persons that
ever furnished their services to any coun-
try-they had not only successfully put
down insurrection and maintained public
order, but at the same time had exhibited
a degree of intelligence which, in collect-
ing this information, would be highly ho-
nourable to any class of society. He
should merely add that this document fur-
nished much valuable information as to
the physical and social condition of Ire-
land.

CEYLON.

LORD BEAUMONT said, that he had lately heard from Ceylon that three new taxes had been imposed there-namely, a poll tax of 3s.. a tax on guns of 2s. 6d. each, besides 6d. for the certificate, and 1s. on dogs. Now, it was well known that the people of Ceylon were obliged to keep dogs to protect them from the wild beasts, and he knew that the people were not in a

(Appropriation); West India Colonies and Mauritius; Savings Banks.

PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Mr. George Hamilton, from the Protestant Inhabitants of the Parish of Kilcluney, for Encouragement to Schools in Connexion with the Church Education Society (Ireland).-By Mr. Cornewall Lewis, from William Kingsley, M.D., of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, in favour of Measures for the Prevention of Fever (Ireland).

RAJAII OF SATTARA.

MR. GEORGE THOMPSON: Sir, in rising to address the House on the Motion of which I have given notice, it is my intention to be as brief as possible, and to avoid, if I can, giving occasion for controversy or debate. In renewing, at this late period, the discussion of the Sattara question, I yield to a sense of imperative duty, conceiving the subject eminently entitled to the consideration of the Government, and of this assembly, bound as that Government and this House are, to watch over the exercise of the power which has been entrusted to the hands of a chartered company to govern a hundred millions of the subjects of Her Majesty. If I may be permitted to refer to the past debates in this House, I will do so to observe, that in my opinion this question has never yet been fairly dealt with. It has always been capable of solution, by a reference of the papers in the case, to the calm and judicial investigation of an impartial Committee, aided in their labours by the evidence of persons in this country, who have from time to time been concerned in the proceedings.

Such a tribunal would have found no diffi- | rules of justice, by placing the evidence culty in determining every point on which taken against him in his hands. Sir, a there has been a difference of opinion; nor memorial sent by the late Rajah to Lord any difficulty in reporting to the House Hardinge, the Governor General in 1844, the course which justice and good faith re- and for four years kept back by the Indian quire should be taken. Such an investi- authorities, has been described as a 66 pregation would have been of the highest im- posterous humbug," because it was drawn portance, not only as tending to the just up by a gentleman in this country, and settlement of this particular question, but sent to his Highness at Benares. For the as contributing to the knowledge, so much truth of the contents of that document needed, of the manner in which our vast (which has at last been brought to light possessions in India are ruled, and the and laid before the House), I hold myself treaties which have been concluded with individually responsible. Sir, it was not native States are observed. Since this until 1843 that the mass of secret papers question was first brought forward by my in this case were ordered to be printed. It hon. Friend the Member for Montrose was not until the spring of 1844 that they until the present time, the only request were published, and they could only then ever preferred has been, that the subject be of service to the Rajah, by being exshould be taken out of the arena of party amined by a person who could read them conflict in this House, and be submitted to in the English, and was competent to anaa Committee, to be decided according to lyse their contents. I devoted myself to the nature and value of the evidence pro- the study of those papers, and drew up duced. As far as the character of the such a statement of the facts of the case late Rajah is concerned, and the fate of as I thought would, if placed in the hands his family and subjects is affected by the of his Lordship the Governor General, opinions entertained of his guilt, I am pre- convince him that justice had not been pared to demonstrate his entire and abso- done to the Rajah of Sattara. His Highlute innocence, by the exposure of the ness approved of my statement, and sent it falsehood and worthlessness of every par- through the hands of the official agent to ticle of the evidence collected to criminate the Governor General. That document him. The assertion, that " every oppor- has been denounced as "a humbug;" but, tunity was afforded to the Rajah of de- Sir, it has never been answered. It has fending himself from the charges brought been denounced as a "humbug;" but no against him, is contradicted most flatly single fact which it sets forth has been by the official documents which have been questioned. It has been denounced as "a laid upon the table of this House. In the humbug;" but by those who dare not meet case of the first charge, the Rajah heard me either here or elsewhere to debate its the depositions of two of the witnesses accuracy. I challenge the whole of the read to him in the Hindustanee language, Ministerial bench to show that there is a but never was permitted to see a copy of statement in it which is contrary to truth. the depositions in the Mahratta, and con- It is to this document that the agent of the sequently never had the slightest chance Governor General (Major Carpenter) reafforded him of rebutting the testimony fers, in the following extract, from a degiven against him. This was in 1836. spatch in the Secret Department, addressOf the other charges he never heard a ed to the Governor General ::word until the 23rd of August, 1839, when he was called upon to sign the paper "When the Rajah was consigned to my charge, submitted to him by Sir James Carnac, early in 1840, I considered it necessary, for the effithe Governor of Bombay, and for refusing acquainted with the causes of his dethronement, his cient discharge of my duties, to make myself fully to do so, was dethroned eleven days after-general reputation for intrigue, and other circumwards. Now, Sir, if the friends of the late Rajah in this country have been able by an examination of the ex parte evidence, to unravel every part of the conspiracy against his Highness, and to prove the charges against him to be utterly false, how much more would the accused himself have been able most triumphantly to vindicate his character and conduct, if there had been an observance of the simplest

stances connected with his character and conduct, to enable me to form a just estimate of the man with whom I had to deal, and to guard against laxity of surveillance on my part. To this end I the consequences which might arise from any carefully studied the whole of the voluminous documents connected with his case, and the result was, a belief in his innocence; and this belief has been confirmed, beyond a doubt, by subsequent disclosures, and by his pledging himself to prove it, if permitted to do so, in his letter to Sir Henry Hardinge, of the 12th December, 1844,

forwarded through me, and which pledge I am | In this paragraph two things are distinctly fully persuaded he is able to redeem." and solemnly guaranteed: firstly, an anHad the prayer of that memorial been nual allowance for the support of the Rajah granted, I believe the Rajah would have and his family; and, secondly, the retention been alive at this time, and sitting upon of all property not appertaining to the the throne of Sattara. But, Sir, the de- State. posal of the Rajah was not the only act of injustice which was done. He was also stripped of his private property, and this brings me to a part of the subject connected with the present circumstances of the surviving family. The Rajah, though denied the opportunity of proving his innocence, was called upon to sign a paper admitting his guilt. It has been stated, that all his Highness was required to do was to renew the Treaty of 1819. This assertion is entirely at variance with the official papers. The articles submitted were perfectly new. The hon. Baronet shakes his head. Well, I will quote from an hon. Director, Mr. Shepherd, who has in his minute of dissent truly observed, that

"The preamble of the conditions which his Highness was called upon to sign entangled him in an admission of guilt; it also involved the Government in the glaring inconsistency of propounding a principle, which required the strongest proofs of the Rajah's unworthiness to reign, as a necessary condition on which he was to continue on the guddee. Who will deny that his rejection of the proposal furnishes presumptive evidence of his innocence, and raises him more in the estimation of the world, than if he had ignominiously complied for the sake of retaining his sovereignty?"

This rejection of the article and preambles submitted by Sir James Carnac, led to the determination on the part of the Bombay Government to dethrone the Rajah, and accordingly, orders to that effect were sent to the Resident on the 30th of August, 1839. These instructions were from the pen of the Governor, and bore his signature. I entreat the attention of the House to the eighth paragraph of this letter :-

The condition on which the second pledge was given was strictly observed by the Rajah. Not only did the Rajah not offer any resistance, but he adopted the most effectual means of preventing any disturbance or conflict. For a time it appeared to be the intention of the Government to redeem the pledge respecting the private property, for the Rajah, while encamped a short distance from Sattara, received three official notes from the Resident, Colonel Ovans, in conformity with that pledge. I will read a brief extract from one of these notes, which is dated the 13th of September:

"With reference to your Highness's private property, I beg to observe, that that will be at your own disposal, as distinguished from the public dresses, &c., money, furniture, plate, and other property of the State-namely, jewellery, robes, On your Highness intimating the same, I will order necessaries which your Ilighness may require. the articles to be sent to you."

In order that no doubt may exist respecting the authenticity of these documents, I will quote an extract from a despatch written by Major Carpenter at Benares to Sir T. Maddock, the Secretary to the Supreme Government, November 15, 1840. Major Carpenter says—

"Par. 8. The ex-Rajah has in his possession three letters, signed by Colonel Ovans, the Resident at Sattara, and dated the 5th, 6th, and 13th of September, 1839, respectively, to the dered to him; and suggesting that lists of such effect that his private property would be surrenportions thereof as he wished to take away, as well as of those articles he desired to leave in his palace, might be furnished, that which properly belonged to the State being retained." Major Carpenter then adds, in the next paragraph

"9. I have carefully examined the documents referred to in the preceding paragraph, and therefore believe the statements it (viz., a letter from the ex-Rajah to the Resident, remonstrating against the claims of Appa Sahib to his private property), contains to be substantially correct; and if it be the pleasure of the right hon. the Governor General in Council, the originals or translation thereof shall be submitted to his Lordship's further consideration."

"8. You will be careful to provide, in the most effectual manner, for the personal comfort and convenience of the Rajah and his family, and to require the Sattara Government to furnish everything that may be necessary for their accommodation. He is, in fact, to be regarded and treated as an object of sympathy, and not of punishment. You will inform him that he will be permitted to reside within the honourable Company's territories, at such place as may be selected by the right honourable the Governor General of India, and that an annual allowance will be assigned from the Sattara re- In addition to these proofs of a solemn envenues for the support and respectability of him-gagement to respect the private property self, and those members of his family who may choose to accompany him. Further, that all property belonging to him bona fide private, and not appertaining to the State, will, on his peaceable submission, not be interfered with."

of the Rajah, I may be permitted to quote from the minute of Sir James Carnac, forwarded to the Governor General and the Court of Directors, dated the 4th of Sep

sources.

{AUG. 31} tember, detailing his proceedings and intentions. In this he distinctly refers to the pledge given, that the Rajah should retain his private property, in addition to receiving an allowance for his permanent support. The Governor says

sure and jewels found in the palace were the fruits of the economical management of the Rajah's rehe had governed his people with prudence and Unlike the generality of native princes, moderation, and restrained his own expenses within the limits of his income. The Bombay Government decided, however, that the property should be made over to the present Rajah, and that the "32. My instructions to the Resident enjoin, ex-Rajah be informed that the pension is assigned that every effort should be made to obviate colli- to himself and his family in satisfaction of all desion, but that should such unhappily occur, that mands whatever on the Government of Sattara. every precaution should be taken to prevent in- Such is likely to be the climax of the unhappy jury to the well-disposed, and to guard against Rajah's fate. A prince who had been for many irregularities on the part of our troops. They years, and up to a very late period, the deserving likewise enjoin that every attention be paid to the object of the Court's and the Government's highest personal comfort and convenience of the Rajah favour and admiration, stripped of his raj and his and his family, and secure to him his private pro- property, he is now the degraded pensioner of perty and a suitable maintenance for his future that brother who assisted in his overthrow. To support. The question of his future disposal is me, it appears that the confiscation and transfer left for consideration hereafter. I have every of his property to the present Rajah is an addiconfidence in Lieutenant Colonel Ovans' judg- tional penalty inflicted on this unfortunate prince, ment and discretion, that he will secure that not warranted by any considerations whatever. these instructions are scrupulously attended to." Indeed, in the absence of a professional opinion, I I am satisfied that no Member of this must contend that the Act is illegal; the regulaHouse, having these official documents be- tions of our Government guaranteeing to all our fore him, would conceive it possible that by them until they shall be deprived of it by the subjects the free possession of the property held the Government of Bombay would after- judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. If wards confiscate the whole of the Rajah's I lamented the extreme measure of his deposal, property, and leave him without a single more deeply do I lament this aggravated severity. shilling beyond the allowance fixed for his ties to hold the balance of justice between our It is the great prerogative of the home authori maintenance. Yet, in a despatch to the local governments and the natives of India. ReSupreme Government, dated the 25th of moved far from the scene of action, they can reNovember (eighty-six days after the pledge view, with dispassionate calmness, every turn and of Sir James Carnac), we find the deter- movement of the actors; and whilst they are mination expressed by the Council of Bom- servants, it is equally their sacred duty to protect bound to afford every proper support to their own bay, to consider the whole of the private their native subjects, and to withhold their sancproperty of the ex-Rajah forfeited, and the tion from acts of oppression and injustice." pension as satisfaction in full of all de- Mr. Tucker, Sir C. Forbes, Mr. Cotton, mands. The fact that the Rajah of Sattara General Robertson, Colonel Sykes-all was possessed of a very large amount of pri- took the same view of that question. Sir, vate property is not disputed. The Resident, on the arrival of the Rajah at his place of Colonel Ovans, while under the impression exile, he called upon the Governor-General's that the pledge of the British Government agent to take an inventory of the articles would be redeemed, described in his de- he had brought with him, which, with the spatches the manner in which the ex-Rajah exception of the personal ornaments of had become possessed of his large wealth, the female members of his family, were of namely, by appropriating a stated sum for very inconsiderable value; he also handed the private expenses of himself and his to the same agent a schedule specifying the family, and then laying aside the balance, property left behind him at Sattara; and I which he either allowed to accumulate, or have no doubt that an inquiry would have expended in jewels. Every previous Re-established the perfect accuracy of the sident at the Rajah's Court is able to confirm the truth of this statement, and to prove that so scrupulously and accurately were the public accounts separated from the private, and the property belonging to the State distinguished from that which was personal, that no difficulty at any time existed in the way of accounting to the Rajah for that which was bona fide his own. The following is the view taken of this transaction by a member of the Court of Directors, Mr. Shepherd :

"There can be no question but that the trea

Rajah's statement. According to that sche-
dule, and to all the other information
which has reached me, the Rajah was de-
prived of property, bona fide private, of
the value of not less than 300,000l. ster-
ling. What then, Sir, becomes of the
boasts which have been uttered in this
House of the liberality of the East India
Company? From the time the Rajah was
dethroned until his death, he received
(during a period of eight years) about
100,000l. in all, for the support of himself,
his family, and 1,200 persons of all ranks