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)...
Hopes John Strachey (Home Member, Governor-General's Council) will soon get KCSI; price of opium and therefore revenue likely to rise in current year; Herat appears to have fallen through treachery, which suggest Yaqub had received substantial funds from some source; on receiving an intimation th...
Refers to Argyll's letter of 19 May; relationship between settlement of land revenue and local taxation; Secretary of State's orders issued four years previously for permanent settlements have not in fact been acted on; Sir W Muir (Lt-Governor of North-Western Provinces) opposes view that revenue...
Despatch being sent on reduction of native army which Mayo hopes will close the question; Mayo comments adversely on utility of Madras Army which he believes it is unnecessary to maintain at its present strength; C-in-C's low opinion of it; situation in Afghanistan and risky nature of Sher Ali's ...
Mayo's letter to Amir seems to have had good effect, but situation in Afghanistan could change again; Yaqub boasts of having obtained money from Persia – gates of Herat clearly opened by bribery; encloses memorandum on Alwar case.