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188 take authority on himself. But on this point all must agree, that if one standard is more inapplicable than another by which to judge of acts done under great pressure, it is the standard of 'ordinary course.'

The Proclamation remained without effect; the soldiery saw no authority but their own, and therefore no need of pardon. Neither to that, nor to the Proclamation in very similar terms, by which Lord Canning superseded it, did a single Sepoy respond. One result, and one only, was achieved. It was not in the designs of the Government in Calcutta, but especially in view of the state of affairs existing at Agra, it was none the less deplorable. At a moment when it was of the first importance to the State that its chief representative in the revolted Province should be upheld, if not by material, at least by moral force, the Governor-General publicly abandoned him. No explanation, no remonstrance, no appeal, could induce Lord Canning to reconsider his decision. From that hour the Lieutenant-Governor was aware that he must not rely — no matter what might be his difficulties, his dangers, or his local knowledge — on the support of the Governor-General.

Lord Canning disavowed Mr. Colvin's Proclamation; Sir Henry Lawrence adopted it. In his Mutinies in Oudh, Mr. Gubbins writes (p. 43): —

'A copy of the Proclamation issued by Mr. Colvin, the Lieutenant-Governor of Agra, promising immunity from punishment to all Sepoys not concerned in murderous attacks upon Europeans, now reached Lucknow. Sir Henry