Encloses record of first three days' proceedings against Ameer Khan to show that every legal form is being taken advantage of in favour of the prisoners who are defended by two European an two native counsel – the Wahabis have plenty of money.
False report that Bismarck was to demand cession of Pondicherry as part of peace with French which would have weakening effect on British authority in India; any opportunity to purchase French possessions in India should be seized; bad characters wishing to evade creditors or the law use Chandern...
Suggests Parliamentary Enquiry should investigate growing problem of discontented unemployed army officers and encloses memorandum; need for urgent decision from Argyll on military reductions to enable budget to be finalised.
Regrets Commons rejection of Gladstone's proposal that parliamentary enquiry into Indian finance should be by joint committee of both houses given paucity of expertise in Commons and plenty in Lords (Salisbury, Halifax, Lawrence and Argyll); asks for copies of daily evidence to be sent to him by ...
Alarm at effect of proposed short service in British Army on Indian finances – all members of Govt except Lord Napier convinced that increase of taxation for military purposes would produce 'widespread and dangerous discontent'; wording and tone of Argyll's despatch on services has wounded some C...
Encloses memorandum on Fenwick's letter regarding Russian proclamations circulating in India enclosed in Mayo's letter of 29 December; in Legislative Council discussion on budget, officials who were not members of Govt of India more bitterly opposed than non-officials which shows how much the Eur...