Sends draft despatch on waste lands and permanent settlement for Elgin's eyes only; it may not be passed – Wood wishes to discuss it with Canning before deciding.
Death of Canning; agrees normally they should not correspond direct with Indian Princes from home, but he had to thank Mysore for presents to Queen, and hopes his letter may have counteracted irritation caused by Canning's; Wood is indifferent regarding Raja's claim to secure management of Mysore...
Laing's ignorance of principles of public accounts; pros and cons of his performance and others of his demerits; problem of Bank of Bengal issuing promissory notes; complains of Govt of India's frequently acting without sanction; can find no suitable replacement from home, so Elgin may have to do...
Is sending despatch on sale of waste lands, limiting power of redeeming land tax, and promising permanent settlement as districts become fairly assessed for it; awaiting information from Rose before posting officers to Royal Artillery and line regiments; suggests C-in-C should become Council memb...
Criticizes figures sent by Col (later Sir) George Balfour (Head of Military Finance Dept) for number of European troops in India; Govt of India should not send home such inaccurate figures.Dated: 19 Aug 1862 (sent 26 Aug)
Canning fortunate to die at height of his reputation; explains views on extent and limits of collective responsibility of Govt of India; also on correct channel of correspondence between Secretary of State and Govt of India, taking examples of Laing's and Beadon's minutes on issue of paper curren...
Outlines views on Afghanistan and its quarrel with Persia over Heart; is against meddling beyond warning Dost Muhammad against invasion of Persia; believes Lord Russell (Foreign Secretary) agrees.
Acknowledges Elgin's letter of 22 July; despatch on land question has been sent; Canning wrong on this; suspects land resolution and contract law were intended to propitiate British community at Calcutta; admits Governor-General must take account of opinion of that community, but it is 'a prejudi...
Acknowledges Elgin's letter of 2 August; question of relations between Secretary of State and Governor-General; Canning inclined to assume too much independence and he would have been reprimanded over redemption of land revenue; Secretary of State has more knowledgeable advisers [in Council of In...