Mr. V. Smithsaid, that he was desirous of asking a question of the right hon. Baronet relative to the papers on Affghanistan. The right hon. Baronet was probably aware that there appeared among those papers only two despatches from General M'Caskill bearing on the capture of Istalif. He (Mr. V. Smith) was desirous of knowing whether her Majesty's Government were in possession of other information, or whether they could take it on their own responsibility to say what foundation there was for a report of cruelties said to have been committed on that occasion by our troops? The report had been directly alluded to in the Indian papers. There was nothing in General M'Caskill's despatches either to confirm or contradict the report. The statements in the Indian papers, said to have been given by a high witness, was to the effect that not a single person had escaped, either with or without arms. He should be glad if the right hon. Baronet had it his power to contradict the report.
§ Sir R. Peelregretted that he had not received notice that such a question would be asked. He had understood that on that, occasion 500 women were in possession of our soldiers, and were treated by them with exemplary kindness. He had no recollection of having ever read or heard of the report to which the hon. Gentleman alluded.
Mr. V. Smithhad thought, that every one must have heard of the statement. It appeared in the Indian papers, and was copied into all the London papers. It was there stated that the women and children were saved, which, however, would be but poor mercy if their fathers and husbands had all been put to the sword. The noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies had also referred to the report the other night.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that as far as his me- 768 mory served him, Government had received no information that could at all countenance such a report. Had the hon. Gentleman, however, given notice of his question, he (Sir R. Peel) would have made himself master of the subject. As far as he recollected he believed he could take upon himself to give upon himself to give the most unqualified contradiction to the report.
Lord Stanleyin anything he might have said a few evenings ago, had had no intention to refer to any such report as was now alluded to. He had stated that, in one or two cases, excesses had been committed; but he had spoken generally, and without allusion to any particular case.