These Rules and are representative of what Lawrence would have been given when he was enrolled at Addiscombe Military Seminary.
Lawrence submitted a petition to enter the Military Seminary of the East India Company. He was nominated by a Director John Huddleston on 2 August 1820. The nomination was examined and passed on 23 August 1820, by John Morris. A condition of acceptance was reading the Articles of War presented to him. The Articles actually presented to Lawrence would have been dated 9 August 1809. The Rules and Articles presented here, dated 1823 represent what Lawrence was guided by. There wasn’t any change in the basics between 1809 and 1823. The Articles of War are set out in this post.
The Christian bias: Please read this post in conjunction with the Pages Heavy Christian Influence and Lawrence’s Hidden History
Heavy Christian Influence: In Section 1 of the Rules you will observe: ‘All Officers and Soldiers, not having just impediment, shall diligently frequent Devine Service; such as wilfully absent themselves, or, being present, behave indecently or irreverently, shall, if Commissioned Officers be brought before a Court-Martial there to be publicly and severely reprimanded by the President; if Non-Commissioned Officers or Soldiers, every person so offending shall, for his first offence forfeit six Annas, to be deducted from his next pay; for his Second Offence, he shall not only forfeit six Annas but be laid in Irons for Twelve Hours, and for every like offence, shall suffer and pay in like manner.
Whatsoever Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer or Soldier, shall presume to speak against any known Article of the Christian Faith, shall be liable to be punished by the Civil Magistrate, according to Law.
Imagine in this day and age ANY joint-stock Company, anywhere in the world, having the power to lay anybody in Irons merely for being absent from Church service!
Note in the Articles how what in this day and age would be considered a minor offence could lead to execution and that too by a joint stock company! Lawrence carried out executions with enthusiasm.
Power over Life and Death: There are several provisions within these Rules and Articles giving what are ultimately employees of a joint stock company the right to execute other employees of the company. Most ‘soldiers’ in India during Sir Henry’s tenure were in the East India Company Army, more Accurately in the Bengal Presidency Army of East India Company. Lawrence was one such employee. Here is an extract from Page 7:
Any Officer, Non-commissioned Officer, or Soldier, who being present at any Mutiny or Sedition, shall not use his utmost Endeavour to supress the same, or coming to the knowledge of any Mutiny, shall not without delay give information thereof to his commanding officer, shall suffer Death, or such other Punishment, as by a General Court Marshall shall be awarded.
Click on the image below to view Rules and Articles.
(The images can be expanded and present a remarkably clear view)
