Acknowledges Mayo's letter of 12 February; assures him of desire to support his authority and hopes full and free communication will establish harmony; strongly agrees with minute by Sir H Durand (Military Member of Council) opposing proposal to set up official Govt journal – 'arena of journalism...
Council of India and Cabinet all support him in opposing withholding on principle best available arms from sepoys – such a principle would promote 'and almost justify' disaffection; despatch to this effect will be sent; unjust to send men into action without best possible equipment; Argyll agrees...
Govt anxious that Argyll should convey to Mayo their desire that policy of non-interference in Central Asian politics should be maintained; assumes arms and assistance recently given to Sher Ali will not bind Govt as to future policy, and were merely intended to cultivate good relations with de f...
Home authorities anxious that large loans contemplated for Indian public works should not be made public, since such large anticipations would affect money market injuriously; loans must be raised from year to year.
Mr Rassam; probably cheaper to sell all India's brass artillery for old brass and purchase rifled artillery made of newly developed form of metal from England; glad Mayo contemplates no entangling engagements with Afghanistan; policy regarding payment of subsidies to Amir; despatch on arming sepo...
Proposed appointment of (Sir) B Ellis (Chief Secretary to Bombay Govt) to Governor-General's Council; question of validity of sanads granted by Govt for reasons of state necessity; in view of pressure [from Manchester cotton interests] for Karwar-Hubli railway, his own belief in opening up Dharwa...
Disappointment with Indian financial position; permission telegraphed to borrow £2-3 million; political importance of getting Indian capitalists to invest in Indian debt; approves Mayo's intention to procure expenditure reductions; suggests reduction of military charges should be possible now tha...
In pursuing financial equilibrium, Mayo should bear in mind that previous budget estimates have shown surplus but actual result has been deficit; anxious to receive Govt of India'' report on railways; is glad that Mayo has had satisfactory meeting with Amir, and hopes there were no 'entangling en...
Regrets exemption from Income tax of all non-resident fund holders, not only as departure from precedent, but as unjustly discriminating against native fund holders as compared with European, when policy should be to encourage native investment in India public debt; Indian Govt should not concern...
Acknowledges receipt of Mayo's despatches and minutes on railways and irrigation; Mayo's conclusion on agency to undertake railways agrees with his own, though it may be prudent to give some extension of existing lines to Companies; need for careful surveying and costing before embarking on irrig...