454 INDIA UNDER THE CROWN

the older provinces. But the new territories, as they were annexed to the dominion, were placed by the Governor-General provisionally under his direct control by what was called the Non-Regulation system, reserv- ing his power of extending discretionally the regular laws and procedure, with directions that their spirit THE "SLAUGHTER -HOUSE," WHERE THE CAWNPUR MASSACRE TOOK PLACE. rather than their letter should be followed, to be supple- mented in doubtful cases by the guidance of equity and good conscience. When, therefore, after the final suppression of the mutiny and of the agitation that it had spread through- out the northern provinces, the permanent reconstitu- tion of government became practicable and necessary, the task of the British authorities was. to deduce order out of this confusion, and to lay the foundations of a new