‘18. There remains one more point for notice.
‘19. The proclamation is addressed to the chiefs and inhabitants of Oude, not to mutineers.
‘20. To the latter, the governor-general does not intend that any overture should be made at present.
‘21. But it is possible that some may surrender themselves, or seek terms, and it is necessary that the chief-commissioner should be prepared to meet any advances from them.
‘22. The sole promise which can be given to any mutineer is, that his life shall be spared; and this promise must not be made if the man belongs to a regiment which has murdered its officers, or if there be other primâ facie reason to suppose that he has been implicated in any specially atrocious crime. Beyond the guarantee of life to those who, not coming within the above-stated exception, shall surrender themselves, the governor-general cannot sanction the giving of any specific pledge.
‘23. Voluntary submission will be counted in mitigation of punishment, but nothing must be said to those who so submit themselves which shall bar the government from awarding to each such measure of secondary punishment as in its justice it may deem fitting.—I have, &c.,
(Signed) ‘G. F. Edmonstone.
’Allahabad, March 3, 1858.’
B.
The proclamation referred to in the above letter ran as follows: