em pledges
which her future reign is to redeem, and explaining the principles of
her Government. Such a document should breathe feelings of generosity,
benevolence, and religious feeling, pointing out the privileges which
the Indians will receive in being placed on an equality with the
subjects of the British Crown, and the prosperity following in the
train of civilisation.[46]

[Footnote 46: The draft Proclamation was accordingly altered
so as to be in strict harmony with the Queen's wishes. See
_post_, 2nd December, 1858, and note 52.]

[Pageheading: PROCLAMATION FOR INDIA]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._

OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_.

The Queen sends to Lord Stanley a Memorandum embodying her wishes with
respect to the transaction of business between herself and the new
Secretary of State. He will find that she has omitted any reference
to Military appointments, as Lord Stanley seemed anxious to defer a
settlement on this point; she expects, however, that in all cases in
which her pleasure was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, even during
the administration of the East India Company and Board of Control, the
same practice will be continued unaltered.

The Queen has received Lord Stanley's letter of yesterday. He has
given her no answer with respect to Sir James Melvill.[47]

Whenever the Proclamation is finally printed, the Queen would wish
to have a copy sent her. A letter she has received from Lady Canning
speaks of Lord Canning's supposed Amnesty in Oudh as a fabrication;
she has sent the letter to Lord Derby.

[Footnote 47: The Queen had asked how it was that Sir J.
Melvill's name was not included among those submitted to
her for appointments in connection with the new military
organisation in India. Sir James had been Financial Secretary,
and afterwards Chief Secretary, for the East India Company. He
now became the Government Director of Indian railways, and a
Member of the Council of India.]

_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._

OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_.

The Queen wishes the practice of the Office[48] with reference to
submissions to her to be as nearly as possible assimilated to that of
the Foreign Office.

All despatches, when received and perused by the Secretary of State,
to be sent to the Queen. They may be merely forwarded in boxes from
the Office without being accompanied by any letter from the Secretary
of State, unless he shou