Attacks on Lawrence not very serious; sorry to hear of India's deficit; Cranborne foolish to leave Mysore question open till adopted heir comes of age; glad to see Lawrence is going up to Simla again.
Acknowledges Lawrence's letter of 9 March; has not yet had time to study Indian budget, but believes loans for public works should be paid off within limited number of years, and that interest and sinking fund on loans should be more than covered by revenue; Licence tax seems to let off richest c...
Lord Stanley and he think Burmese Embassy should be allowed to proceed to avoid giving offence to Emperor of French; asks for appreciation of Burmese affairs in general, and gives a few thoughts of his own; has had 'serious battle' in Council over Mysore despatch and has overruled majority; defen...
Thanks for kind expressions in Lawrence's letters [of 9 March et seq]; has impressed on Northcote importance of supporting Lawrence's financial policy.
False alarm of mutiny, and lack of confidence shown by European community at Meerut; is thinking of answering Calcutta petition against Licence tax to the effect that he cannot interfere with India's financial arrangements; however, criticises Licence tax at length and explains preference for Inc...
Discussion with Duke of Cambridge on state of Madras Army and possible candidates for appointment as C-in-C; Duke's fears of disaffection in Madras Army and criticisms of Irregular system of officering; supply of officers for Indian Army and suggestion officers exchanging from purchase to non-pur...
Willing to be attacked for not proceeding with Burma railway; policy towards Afghanistan and Russia - need to reach accommodation with latter regarding common interests in central Asia and neutralisation of Afghanistan; acquiesces reluctantly in arguments against Indus valley railway line; accept...
Names submitted to Queen for Star of India; Abyssinian expedition; asks for Lawrence's opinion on A S Ayrton's Commons resolutions on India; asks Lawrence's views on changes in Indian administration; Northcote considering (1) remodelling of Bengal administration; (2) partial decentralisation of ...
Suggests those who did well during famine should be promoted or in some way recognised; belief entertained by some that private favour is needed to gain promotion in Indian service; alleged misconduct of officers at Mysore durbar – 'the conduct of Englishmen towards natives and other races is ver...