then engrossed by the war with Burma and the preparations for a coming struggle with Persia.
Subsequently the Governor-General drew up a comprehensive minute in which he denounced the shameful abuse of power that had existed for years in Oudh, and stated that inaction on the part of the British Government could no longer be justified. He, however, thought that the prospects of the people might be improved without resorting to so extreme a measure as the annexation of the territory and the abolition of the throne; hence he proposed that the King should retain the nominal sovereignty, while the entire civil and military administration should pass into the hands of the Company. The Home authorities. however, resolved upon annexation, involving the absolute extinction of Oudh as a Native Government, and the final abrogation of all existing treaties with it, a measure which was at length decreed and announced to all the Empire by a simple proclamation, dated Fort William, the 11th February 1856.
15. Prior to announcing the annexation, Lord Dalhousie, still acting with caution in a matter of such moment, had appointed Colonel (afterwards General Sir James) Outram Resident in Oudh, with instructions to make another thorough inquiry into the condition of the people. His report was in substance the same as those which had been submitted by his predecessor; and the Indian Government then resolved that this condition of chronic anarchy, which had reduced the people of Oudh to extreme misery, should no longer be permitted to exist.
16. Seeing that it was hopeless to expect reforms from the native ruler, a treaty was proposed to the King, by which the civil and military authority of Oudh would be vested in the British Government solely and for ever, and the title of King of Oudh continued to Wajid Ali and his lawful male heirs; it provided for his being treated with due respect, and, under the treaty, he would have retained exclusive jurisdiction within the walls of the palace at Lucknow, except as to the infliction of capital punishment. The King was to receive an allowance of twelve lacs a year for the support of his dignity, besides three lacs for palace guards. His successors in the title were to receive twelve lacs a year, and his collateral relatives were to be provided for separately. He was allowed three days to consider but refused to sign the proposed treaty, upon which refusal the Government formally annexed the province and introduced its own system of administration
