Choice of new Financial Secretary was Trevelyan's; is attempting to get to bottom of question of Oudh land tenures and tenant rights with Maine's assistance; sanitary conditions of European troops in India have improved over last three or four years; Maine will write to Wood to try to remove latt...
Summarises debate with Trevelyan and other Council members on move of seat of Government and, arising out of that, place of next meeting of Legislative Council; gives his reasons for favouring Lahore, but since Grey's return Council have begun to dwell on difficulties of holding meeting outside C...
In correspondence with Napier has agreed to preliminary meeting of Legislative Council at Calcutta – undesirable that absence from Calcutta should be unduly protracted; considers additional Council members should retire after their two year term.
Has approved Montgomery's proposal for expedition against Sit[t]ana fanatics and tribes on frontier supposed to support them; Elgin's disagreement with C-in-C on scale and timing of expedition; Sir Neville Chamberlain is to take command [this became known as the Ambela campaign].
Is at Sultanpur; briefly describes scenery round Kulu; men of party scaled Rohtang pass; new bridge over river Chandra will improve trade route to Ladakh and China; up to now they had to use a twig bridge which Elgin crossed himself – 'the most difficult job I ever attempted'; need for route whic...
Government of India's vakil in Afghanistan should remain with Sher Ali Khan (Dost Muhammad's successor as Amir), but otherwise should abstain from any acts of partisanship until Sher Ali has shown whether he can hold his ground; intends to discuss several matters with Maine when latter arrives at...
Quotes letter received from vakil in Kabul giving new Amir's statement on his policy regarding Herat and Persia, and wish to observe treaties with Persian and British Governments.