Local Finance scheme fairly launched despite opposition due to provincial narrow mindedness and atrocious official management of Bills, and petty jealousies among Council members; Holkar's territorial and other demands – it would be a 'grievous crime to hand over to his tender mercies a territory...
Disturbing news from Afghanistan; fears that Turkish expedition to Kutuf may necessitate complete revision of British position in Gulf and cause trouble between Turkey and Persia.
Wahabi case – efforts of English legal advisers, who 'know that these men are very rich', to spin out proceedings; has written to friends in Conservative party [among others, see a letter to Disraeli is f46] imploring them not to support motions in favour of Nawab Nazim [of Bengal ?] – wrong to i...
Goldsmid's efforts regarding Perso-Kalat boundary demarcation; hopes Turkey will not interfere with arrangements in Gulf; Saud, the Wahabi usurper, a formidable foe; on two annexation projects – of territory near Aden and of Zanzibar – is sure Argyll will agree on undesirability of commencing eit...
Indicates range of opinions in his Council on Pensions despatch to show that civil service self-interest did not influence Govt of India's despatch; majority of Service (Mayo calls them the 'dead level') well satisfied with Argyll's decision [apparently it gave all members virtually the same pens...
Two brief letters sending papers on (1) alleged interference in trade by King of Burma in case matter is raised in Parliament; (2) 'the little Abyssinian Prince'.
Situation in Afghanistan; Yaqub Khan has taken Herat, with Persian connivance contrary to their undertakings not to countenance any attack by Yaqub on his father, Sher Ali, whose throne and life are now in danger; Mayo defends his decision not to persuade Sher Ali to adopt Yaqub as his heir which...
Urges Argyll not to come to any sudden conclusion on Permanent Settlement in North-West; all who supported Sir C Wood in favour of it in 1862 have changed their mind; question of little importance now but could be matter of 'life and death to our rule 25 or 30 years hence'; encloses note by (Sir)...