Page:John Russell Colvin.djvu/191

Rh of Government. This feeling was wholly a mistake, but it acted on men's minds. A Proclamation of the Governor-General now issued is perfectly explicit, and will remove all doubt on these points. Every evil-minded instigator in the disturbance, and those guilty of heinous crimes against private persons, shall be punished. All those who appear in arms against the Government, after this notification is known, shall be treated as open enemies.'

The English text of this Proclamation is obviously open to criticism. Though Mr. Colvin daily expected Delhi to fall, it had not as yet fallen; and. an appeal to the soldiery seemed premature to those unacquainted with his anticipations. The English version exempts from pardon only evil-minded instigators and those who had murdered private persons. What of those who had murdered officers? This point was at once seized upon in Calcutta, where the paper was received with a howl of indignation. The press raved at it; Lord Canning and his Council hastened to disavow it. Though approved in Upper India, in Calcutta it was condemned. To none there does it seem to have occurred that there might be misconception. Mr. Colvin's known character, his stout heart in the front of unparalleled difficulties, might have led to hesitation in judging him. Unfortunately, Lord Canning had no personal knowledge of Mr. Colvin. Jedburgh justice was dealt him. No explanation was asked for, or, when tendered, was admitted. Not till later, when it became known that Sir Henry Lawrence had adopted the Proclamation, and that the English rendering was misleading, did misgivings and doubts as