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156 that the one declared punishment for rebellion should be confiscation of proprietary rights in the soil; such penalty, however, to be enforced with an indulgent hand, and to be remitted on timely submission or other valid ground. The Proclamation, accordingly, announced that, with a few specified exceptions in which loyalty had been maintained, 'the proprietary right in the soil was confiscated to the British Government; who would dispose of such right as might seem fitting.' To landowners, who should make immediate surrender, their lives and honours were secured, provided that 'their hands were unstained with English blood, murderously shed.' For further indulgence 'they must throw themselves upon the justice and mercy of the British Government.' 'To those who come promptly forward,' it was added, 'and supported the Government in the restoration of order, the indulgence will be large, and the Governor-General will be ready to view liberally the claims which they may thus acquire to a restitution of their former rights.'

The last provision had been added in deference to the objection urged by Sir James Outram, the Chief Commissioner of Oudh, that the announcement of the Government's intention to confiscate the landowners' rights would drive them to desperate and prolonged resistance, and render it in vain to hope for their services on the side of order.

The Proclamation was unfavourably viewed in Outram's camp, and there were those present who