are free from atrocious crime, will be large. I believe that the issue of the Proclamation, which has been so severely condemned, was thoroughly consistent with that policy, and that it is so viewed by those to whom it is addressed. I believe that policy, if steadily pursued, offers the best and earliest prospect of restoring peace to Oudh upon a stable footing.
'Firm in these convictions, I will not in a time of unexampled difficulty, danger and toil, lay down, of my own act, the high trust which I have the honour to hold; but I will, with the permission of your Honourable Committee, state the grounds upon which these convictions rest, and describe the course of policy which I have pursued in dealing with the rebellion in Oudh. If, when I have done so, it shall be deemed that that policy has been erroneous; or that, not being erroneous, it has been feebly and ineffectually carried out; or that, for any reason, the confidence of those, who are responsible for the administration of Indian affairs in England, should be withheld from me, I make it my respectful but earnest request, through your Honourable Committee, that I may be relieved of the office of Governor-General of India with the least possible delay.'
Lord Canning next proceeded to point out that his assailants' argument threw a grave shade of doubt on the lawfulness of the British annexation of Oudh, and regarded the rebel population rather as engaged in legitimate warfare than as rebels against duly constituted authority. Such a point was, of course,
