Regarding Financial Despatch, complains of Govt of India's improper mode of conducting correspondence with Home Govt; undesirability of paper currency being issued by Bank of Bengal; is provoked at adoption of this arrangement contrary to his instructions; possible transfer of Rewa from Indore Re...
Discusses rumours of unrest in India, including prophecy that Duleep Singh might be destined to overthrow Raj; wishes press in India could be checked but censorship cannot be imposed; agrees with Elgin on missionaries; question of honours for Shah of Persia, King of Siam and Jung Bahadur of Nepal...
His controversy with Laing who has resigned; rumours of unrest in India; is doubtful about appointing Laing to Elgin's Council as this would mean second soldier on it; does not think Prince of Wales will visit India; wants to appoint someone from home rather than India as Laing's successor.
No hurry to appoint successor to Laing as Indian finance is in very satisfactory state; criticisms of Laing; hopes Commissariat can be reduced; India's cash balances are needlessly high and Wood proposes to sanction various 'reproductive' public works; Bombay's wish to convert cavalry regiments t...
Acknowledges Elgin's letter of 17 June; Rose writes in same tone as Elgin about silly rumours of unrest and considers they should not be heeded; certain that Prince of Wales will not go to India.
Both he and the Queen are glad Elgin executed murderer of a native as proof of impartiality of justice; awkward question pending how Europeans are to be tried up country – 'we cannot allow them to be tried by natives but … punishment should be inflicted on Englishman as on Native'; fears lower cl...
Reviews Indian financial position; need for reduction in expenditure to match loss of income tax when that goes; army and police expenditure have risen - Wood thinks substantial reduction in manpower not feasible, but hopes for reductions in 'semi-military' branches – 'Indian notions in this resp...
Is disinclined to interfere in Perso-Afghan dispute over Heart; does not believe Afghans are a threat and that their assistance can always be bought if needed; American civil war; Russia and many French statesmen (though not Emperor) wish to preserve Union to keep US as 'counterpoise to our marit...
Delay in posting officers to line regiments; deprecates Rose's absence from centre of Government; outlines views on Mysore case; need for native judge.