Refers to his letter of 27 February (2) on Madras Army – will approve whatever Lawrence and Madras Govt agree on; in hurry and confusion of approaching general election.
Long Council discussion to confirm despatch on Mysore; Wood approves Lawrence's actions on Madras Army, and whatever steps he decides on in Bhutan; his [army] reductions will also be approved.
On vacation in Homburg; Lawrence's Mysore policy approved; Bowring's plan to allowing Raja a small territory south of Cauvery river; asks for 50 copies of provincial administration reports to be sent home next year and suggests they might be shorter.
Specimens of wood; Mysore; glad Mansfield has taken right course on 9th cavalry; believes practice at home is that Govt only ever acts on recommendation of C-in-C on punishment of soldiers; Indian revenue must somehow be increased – suggests land revenue; doubts on army reductions because of larg...
Acknowledges Lawrence's letters of 8, 11 and 15 June; comments very briefly on decision not to reoccupy Dewangiri, Buckle's case, Col Campbell's case, Peacock's decision on rent case, Oudh tenancies.
Question of reduction of duty on saltpetre; export duties have been disallowed – they might have been justifiable as an addition to Income Tax, but not as substitute; 'all the world has been crying out to tax the rich Natives, and to a certain extent the Income tax did, or professed to do this – ...
Acknowledges Lawrence's letters of 11, 15 and 16 July; policy in Central Asia – key point is to keep on good terms with Afghans – 'nobody can come through that country if they are opposed by the population of it, backed by us'; glad of judgement in rent case which places Govt in strong position i...
Foster can stay longer; recommends Grant '(the Nile traveller'); leakage of purported secret letter of appointment from Durand to Davies which is inconsistent with Lawrence's letters.
Mischievous article in Indian newspaper predicting annexation of Kashmir; policy in Central Asia and Afghanistan; suggests succession tax – 'a sort of legal and authorized nuzzerana'; suggests slower rate of progress on building barracks, but not reducing space of rooms; Trevelyan's use of cash b...