1849.] 



Eemarks on the Ahstract Tables, 



555 



chief punishment before 1835 was flogging, so discharge from the 

 service and imprisonment with hard labor, was the usual sentence 

 after 1839. 



On these articles being annulled by Act XX. 7th October, 1845, 

 the code, then, substituted, contained 154 articles, 91 of which relat- 

 ed to crimes and their punishments ; and the abolition of corporal 

 punishment having been found to work very unsatisfactorily, it was, by 

 this act, again introduced, but so greatly restricted that, even, a Ge- 

 neral Court Martial could only award 200 lashes, and these, only, for 

 certain offences. Imprisonment with hard labor, which had become 

 so common since 1839, was greatly restricted by this act, it being 

 permitted to be awarded only for the most disgraceful crimes. 



lu 19 articles, death, or other punishment, could be awarded, the 

 remaining articles admitting of imprisonment, simple or solitary, and 

 with or without hard labor, and discharge. 



The provisions in the Articles of War of Act XX. 7th October, 1845, 

 may be said to be still in force, but, amended by the Act of 1st March, 

 1848, promulgating a new code, in which the principal alterations 

 made, consisted in conferring increased power on commanding of- 

 ficers of regiments ; making some articles more comprehensive ; spe- 

 cifying some offences with more minuteness ; changing, slightly, the 

 mode of applying punishment, and providing for three crimes, viz. : 

 striking or forcing a sentry ; refusing to labor on field works, and a 

 sentry plundering property under his charge ; which were not de- 

 tailed in former codes. 



The code of 1st March, 1848, contains 158 articles, 96 of which 

 specify crimes and their punishments, and, like that of 1845, by 19 

 of its articles, Military Courts can award the punishment of death. 

 Corporal punishment may still be awarded, but it is, now, restricted 

 to 50 lashes, and it is understood to be the wish of Government that 

 it be awarded, only, for certain offences, viz. : mutiny ; violence to su- 

 periors ; insubordination ; drunkenness on duty, and disgraceful con- 

 duct; and even, for such offences, to be as seldom as possible car- 

 ried into effect. 



In order to understand the frequency of dismissal and discharge in 

 the Indian Army, it must also be mentioned that it has always been 

 in the power of the Governor in Council and Commander-in-Chief, 



VOL. XV. NO. XXXVI. Y 1 



