Page:John Russell Colvin.djvu/197

Rh Lawrence did not disapprove of it, and directed the Judicial Commissioner to prepare and cause to be issued a notification throughout the Province of Oudh holding out promises of clemency not inferior to those promised by Mr. Colvin to all revolted Sepoys who should return to their duty. Mr. Colvin's Proclamation has been mercilessly condemned; and, if the condemnation so pronounced be just, it must be extended to the still more lenient Proclamation issued by Sir Henry Lawrence.'

Mr. Gubbins adds, ' We understood the meaning which they (the words 'private persons') were intended to convey.' So did all who could understand the language in which the paper was drafted, or who took the pains to have it interpreted.

Mr. Colvin's comments on it, written two months later, on July 23, to a brother, may close the matter: —

'We here understood the vast extent of the danger that was opening on us, and the sincere and thorough delusion that the mass of the Sepoys were in about the intentions of the Government. Regiments were beginning to give way all round. To prevent the fatal mischief spreading it seemed the wisest thing that could be done to mark that we desired to be just, and to offer the means of retreat to those not already desperately committed, and who had been betrayed into the rebel ranks by the insane apprehension about religion, or by the inability of getting away from them. That those who had taken a leading, or a deliberately malignant part in the revolt would ever seek to take advantage of the Notification we knew to be quite out of the question. The chance that seemed open through the Proclamation of escape called forth the heavy censure at many distant points. But we, who were behind the scene, and knew the real