§ THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGHregretted that two years and a half had elapsed since the capture of Delhi, and he was still compelled to put the Question of which he had given notice—namely, Whether any Measure has yet been adopted with a view to the Distribution of the Property captured by the Army in India during the War of the Mutiny; and upon what Principles such Distribution, if intended, is to be made?
THE DUKE OF ARGYLLreplied, that a proposition had been sent over by the Indian Government before the rising of the House in the last Session, in reference to this subject; and a reply had been sent back by the then Secretary of State for India, approving of the principle which was there laid down. The principle was that all the property taken by the army being property of mutineers, or belonging to the State which had been seized by the mutineers, should be given to the army as prize money; but there was a reservation, and he thought a very proper one under the circumstances, in the case of property taken by the army which belonged to individuals who could prove their loyalty to the State, that such portion should be given up to the owners. The question was of a most anomalous and complicated nature, and had given rise to a great many questions which had prevented the Indian Government from computing the whole amount of prize money due to the army. The Indian Government were now taking stops with a view to ascertain the whole sum disposable, and there was every dis- 206 position to hasten the matter forward, and to give to the army their share of the prize money, which they had so well and so nobly earned.
§ THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGHstill wished to know upon what principle the distribution was to proceed? It was not necessary to ascertain the total amount, for money might be given on account, as was often done. He wanted to know whether the prize money was to be awarded for actual service or for service of a constructive character? To those only who were actually engaged in the capture, or to those also whose co-operation being essential to success were, though not actually present, present to all practical purposes. He thought it a great hardship that the army should have to wait so long before they received that to which they were so justly entitled.