vent the Motions intended to
be made on Friday; and if made, will, almost certainly, result in a
majority for the Government.

Lord Derby believes that he may possibly be in time to telegraph
to Malta early to-morrow, to Lord Canning. In that case he will
do himself the honour of submitting to your Majesty a copy of the
message[31] sent, though he fears it will be impossible to do
so before its despatch. He proposes in substance to say that the
publication has been disapproved--that Lord Ellenborough has resigned
in consequence--but that your Majesty's Government adhere in principle
to the policy laid down in the despatch of 19th April, and entertain
an earnest hope that the Governor-General, judging from the
modifications introduced into the amended Proclamation, has, in fact,
the intention of acting in the same spirit; but that your Majesty's
Government are still of opinion that confiscation of private property
ought to be made the exception, and not the rule, and to be enforced
only against those who may stand out after a certain day, or who may
be proved to have been guilty of more than ordinary crimes.

Lord Derby hopes that your Majesty will excuse a very hasty sketch of
a very large subject.

[Footnote 31: _The Earl of Derby to Lord Lyons._

_12th May 1858._

Send on the following message to Lord Canning by the Indian
mail.

The publication of the Secret Despatch of 19th April has
been disapproved. Lord Ellenborough has resigned office. His
successor has not been appointed. Nevertheless the policy
indicated in the above despatch is approved by Her Majesty's
Government. Confiscation of property of private individuals
(Talookdars and others) ought to be the exception and not the
rule. It ought to be held out as a penalty on those who do not
come in by a given day. From your amended Proclamation it
is hoped that such is your intention. Let it be clearly
understood that it is so. You were quite right in issuing no
Proclamation till after a signal success. That once obtained,
the more generous the terms, the better. A broad distinction
must be drawn between the Talookdars of Oudh and the Sepoys
who have been in our service. Confidence is felt in your
judgment. You will not err if you lean to the side of
humanity, especially as to nations of Oudh.

No private letters have been received from you since the
change of Governm