Mr. Howarthsaid, he thought it his duty to call the attention of the house to the late dreadful mutiny at Vellore; a mutiny, he had every reason to think, had been occasioned by an ill-timed military measure, tending to violate some of the customs of the natives. He wished to put a question to a right hon. gent. opposite, as president of the board of controul, and, according to the answer he should receive, he should, perhaps, think it his duty to found a motion upon this subject, he wished to know whether, in consequence of the accounts received from Madras, any steps had been taken, either to remove those persons who were so obnoxious to the natives, or to attempt to conciliate those who were so much irritated?
Mr. R. S. Dundas ,as president of the board of controul, answered, that he could assure the hon. gent., that the subject to which he alluded had been matter of serious consideration with the board of controul. Previous to the appointment of the present board, the court of directors did make a resolution as to the changes that were to take place in the Madras establishment. With regard to the causes of that unfortunate mutiny, he could only say, that during the very few days since the present board had been appointed, it was impossible that they could have made up their minds, or that they could ascertain that any dissatisfaction did actually still exist. The board having been so employed, no delay would take plate in adopting whatever steps might be judged necessary.
§ Mr. Corrysaid, that, as the question was one which deserved the most serious consideration, he should think it would be advisable to delay adopting any measures, till the arrival of an officer, whom he knew to be upon his passage from India to this country. The officer he alluded to was sir John Craddock, who, from his situation at Madras, had had an opportunity of investigating the whole affair; and who, therefore, would be able to state the particulars with 497 more accuracy than could be done in any written dispatches.