HC Deb 10 June 1858 vol 150 cc1852-3
SIR ERSKINE PERRY

said, he would beg to ask the President of the Board of Control whether any despatches have been received by the last Mail relating to the pacification of Oude; and, if so, whether there is any objection to lay them on the table. And whether there is any copy at the India House of the Proclamation issued and the instructions given to the Local Commissioners by Mr. Mountstuart Elphinstone, on the Conquest of the Deccan in 1819, with respect to the rights of landholders and the maintenance of native usages and customs.

LORD STANLEY

said, that no official documents whatever had been received by the last Mail on the subject of the Pacification of Oude. With regard to the papers relating to the Conquest of the Deccan in 1819, he had caused inquiries to be made, and he believed there was no doubt of their existence at the India House. If the hon. and learned Gentleman would move for them, and they were not too voluminous, there would be no objection to produce them.

SIR ERSKINE PERRY

said, he should be glad to know whether any non-official or private communication had been received on the subject of the Pacification of Oude, either by the Chairman of the Court of Directors or the President of the Board of Control?

LORD STANLEY

said, private letters received from private persons had been put into his hands, but they were not such communications as he considered he ought to lay before the House. He had not received through the late President of the India Board or any other quarter letters from Lord Canning.

MR. HORSMAN

said, he understood that letters had been read on the previous day by the Chairman of the Court of Directors from Lord Canning to the Court respecting the Pacification of Oude. Would there be any objection to lay them on the table?

LORD STANLEY

I believe that there was a private letter from Lord Canning addressed to the Chairman of the Court of Directors. The hon. and learned Member opposite (Sir E. Perry), after asking me a question of which he had given notice, proceeded to ask another of which he had given no notice. I am not aware whether my answer was understood. It was, that I have not in my possession, and that I believe there is not in this country, any official document on the subject referred to, which it is in my power to lay before the House.