MONDAY, THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER, 1858, will henceforward be a memorable day throughout the wide realms of India, for on that day at Calcutta, Bombay, Allahabad, Madras, and at every large city and important station from Peshwar to Cape Comorin, from Bombay to Birmah, the constitutional Sovereign of Great Britain, was proclaimed Queen of all the territories heretofore acquired and governed by the East India Company. Whether it be for good or for ill, whether the resources of India are developed, her wealth increased, her prosperity and tranquility are secured or otherwise, by this event, the day itself will henceforth be memorable.

There is something lofty and imposing in the idea of such a proclamation. In every place, where local circumstances would permit, there would be military display, official rejoicing, and some sort of public demonstration. Simultaneously and solemnly the trumpets would sound, and the assembled crowds would hear that Victoria, the Queen of England, was also Queen of India. What a strange change must have come over India since the Company was first chartered by Queen Elizabeth! How has the power of the great Mogul faded away! and how great is the responsibility as well as the dignity attaching to the power that is now proclaimed! Let us hope that the good providence of God will overrule this change for good! "Victoria, Queen of India." How much is really involved in these words! They imply that the rule, often almost irresponsible, of a trading Company is at an end-that the Parliament and people of England, through whom the Crown rules, will have a larger and more direct influence on the destinies of India, and will be much more powerful than formerly to improve the condition, secure the privileges, and promote the well-being of their fellow subjects in India and that, as the responsibility of the rule of India now rests on the British Government at home, the enlightened people of England will feel their share of that responsibility, and will by their influence promote the good of India.

The proclamation now lies before us, and as we have read it with

great care and attention, so, doubtless, has every word been closely scanned by millions both in India and in the world. After reading it over several times, and also a number of comments on it made by natives and Europeans, we feel at a loss to say whether any part of it could be altered for the better. Its language is calm, dignified, and firm. It is void of the pomp of orientalism, and of all superfluous sentiment. The Queen first assumes her power and issues her commands, and afterwards gives such promises as are adapted to promote the tranquility and ensure the good government of her subjects.

We give the whole of this document a space in our pages, in order that what may now be called "The Charter of India," may be in the possession of all our readers

Proclamation by the Queen in Council to the Princes, Chiefs, and People of

India.

"Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the Colonies and Dependencies thereof in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australasia, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

"Whereas, for divers weighty reasons, we have resolved, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons in parliament assembled, to take upon ourselves the Government of the Territories in India, heretofore administered in trust for us by the Hon. East India Company.

"Now, therefore, we do by these presents notify and declare that, by the advice and consent aforesaid, we have taken upon ourselves the said government, and we hereby call upon all our subjects within the said territories to be faithful and to bear true allegiance to us, our heirs and successors, and to submit themselves to the authority of those whom we may hereafter from time to time see fit to appoint to administer the government of our said territories, in our name and on our behalf.

"And we, reposing special trust and confidence in the loyalty, ability, and judgment of our right trusty and well beloved cousin and councillor, Charles John Viscount Canning, do hereby constitute and appoint him, the said Viscount Canning, to be our First Viceroy and Governor-General in and over our name, and generally to act in our name and on our behalf, subject to such orders and regulations as he shall, from time to time, receive from us through one of our principal Secretaries of State.

"And we do hereby confirm in their several offices, civil and military, all persons now employed in the service of the Honorable East India Company, subject to our future pleasure, and to such laws and regulations as may hereafter be enacted.

"We hereby announce to the native princes in India, that all treaties and engagements made with them by or under the authority of the Honorable East India Company are by us accepted, and will be scrupulously maintained; and we look for the like observance on their part.

"We desire no extension of our present territorial possessions; and, while we will permit no aggression upon our dominions or our rights to be attempted without impunity, we shall sanction no encroachment on those of others. We shall respect the rights, dignity, and honour of native princes as our own, and we desire that they, as well as our own subjects, should enjoy that prosperity and that social advancement which can only be secured by internal peace and good government.

"We hold ourselves bound to the natives of our Indian territories by the same obligations of duty which bind us to all our other subjects; and those obligations, by the blessing of Almighty God, we shall faithfully and conscientiously fulfil.

"Firmly relying ourselves on the truth of Christianity and acknowledging with gratitude the solace of religion, we disclaim the right and the desire to impose our convictions on any of our subjects. We declare it to be our royal will and pleasure that none be in anywise favoured, none molested or disquieted, by reason of their religious faith or observances, but that all shall alike enjoy the equal and impartial protection of the law; and we do strictly charge and enjoin all those who may be in authority under us that they abstain from all interference with the religious belief or worship of any of our subjects, on pain of our highest displeasure.

VICTORIA, PROCLAIMED QUEEN OF INDIA.

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"And it is our further will that, so far as may be, our subjects of whatever race or creed, be freely and impartially admitted to offices in our service, the duties of which they may be qualified, by their education, ability, and integrity, duly to discharge. "We know and respect the feelings of attachment with which the natives of India regard the lands inherited by them from their ancestors, and we desire to protect them in all rights connected therewith, subject to the equitable demands of the State; and we will that, generally, in framing and administering the law, due regard be paid to the ancient rights, usages, and customs of India.

"We deeply lament the evils and misery which have been brought upon India by the acts of ambitious men, who have deceived their countrymen by false reports, and led them into open rebellion. Our power has been shown by the suppression of that rebellion in the field; we desire to show our mercy by pardoning the offences of those who have been thus misled, but who desire to return to the path of duty.

"Already in one province, with a view to stop the further effusion of blood, and to hasten the pacification of our Indian dominions, our Viceroy and GovernorGeneral has held out to those who in the late unhappy disturbances have been guilty of offences against our Government, and has declared the punishment which will be inflicted on those whose crimes place them beyond the reach of forgiveness. We approve and confirm the said act of our Viceroy and Governor-General, and do further announce and pardon as follows:

"Our clemency will be extended to all offenders, save and except those who have been or shall be convicted of having directly taken part in the murder of British subjects.

"With regard to such the demands of justice forbid the exercise of mercy.

""To those who have willingly given asylum to murderers, knowing them to be such, or who may have acted as leaders or instigators in revolt; their lives alone can be guaranteed; but in appointing the penalty due to such persons full consideration will be given to the circumstances under which they have been induced to throw off their allegiance; and large indulgence will be shown to those whose crimes may appear to have originated in a too credulous acceptance of the false reports circulated by designing men.

"To all others in arms against the Government we hereby promise unconditional pardon, amnesty, and oblivion of all offences against ourselves, our crown and dignity, on their return to their homes and peaceful pursuits.

"It is our royal pleasure that these terms of grace and amnesty should be extended to all those who comply with their conditions before the first day of January next.

"When, by the blessing of Providence, internal tranquility shall be restored, it is our earnest desire to stimulate the peaceful ministry of India, to promote works of public utility and improvement, and to administer its government for the benefit of all our subjects resident therein. In their prosperity will be our strength, in their contentment our security, and in their gratitude our best reward. And may the God of all power grant unto us, and to those in authority under us, strength to carry out these our wishes for the good of our people.'

Such is the important proclamation. It will be seen that as to its bearing on religion, it includes a becoming profession of the Christian faith on the one hand, and a guarantee of entire religious freedom on the other; so that the inhabitants of India may now be said to possess a charter of such religious liberties as even Englishmen have not enjoyed for more than a single generation! In reference to other matters, it will be seen that the Queen accepts the treaties made by the Company with the native princes, disavows all desire to extend our present territorial possessions; promises a "due regard to the ancient rights, usages and customs of India;" and also earnestly desires its general improvement and prosperity. Clemency will be shown to such mutineers as return to their allegiance, and those only sacrificed who have been the murderers of British subjects.

On the whole, we would fain hope that this proclamation may have the effect of promoting tranquility in India, and that the just and righte