Comments approvingly on Cambell's operations at Lucknow; has secured Cabinet agreement to increase Company's European infantry by three regiments which he propose should be officered by officers of mutinied regiments; one regiment going to India from Australia, and two from the Cape; reasons why ...
Asks for reports on efficiency of 'young gentlemen' recruited to civil service by competitive examination compared with that of those sent out under former system.
Uneasy relations with France caused hesitation concerning despatch of remainder of 57th regiment to Bombay following Elphinstone's urgent request; arrangements for further reinforcements; hopes four or five of hardest-worked regiments can be relieved – believes it would produce excellent effect i...
Letter from Sir G Clerk (Secretary to Board of Control) to Canning
Scope & Content:
Suggests Canning might find it worthwhile to see his son who has recently been attached to mission to Heart and is returning via Khorasan and Persia to India for information on those parts; Lord Stanley will probably be Ellenborough's successor [On 10 May Ellenborough resigned following the contr...
Expresses hope, shared by his father Lord Derby (Prime Minister), that nothing that has passed in Parliament will lead Canning to resign; hopes Canning will write as frankly as he intends to do, and assures him of Government's support.
Has not written earlier chiefly because of Canning's superior knowledge but there are now one or two points on which Canning should know Ministry's intentions; plans for despatch of European troops; complaints from Duke of Cambridge (C-in-C, British Army) regarding dispersal of European force in ...
Apologies that previous letter is not in his own hand [Stanley's draft had been copied for him by his private secretary Gerald Talbot, previously Canning's Private Secretary].
Report that European troops sent from England are neglected on arrival in India; opinion at home no longer sympathises with 'the indiscriminate revenge which seems to be desired by some editors and others in India' – Canning can therefore can count on support from public opinion as well as Govt a...
Troops still being sent out from England; names of persons chosen by outgoing Directors of East India Company and himself to become Members of Council of India [established by India Act]; has included Sir J Lawrence though he would prefer him to remain on active duty in India; delays in finalisin...