Education of Abyssinian Prince; permanent settlements of land revenue in North-Western Provinces should make it clear that they do not preclude further local taxation; argument against permanent settlements has been difficulty of devising other means to tax wealth thus left in hands of individual...
Thinks Committee on Indian Finance unavoidable – probably a joint Committee of Lords and Commons; Indian knowledge is strong in Lords; Nawab Nazim [of Bengal ?]; his Council very averse to reducing native army, but if Mayo adheres to his view Argyll inclined to support him – but matter must go to...
Explains background to despatch being sent rejecting specific proposal from India on Army reduction; matter has been to Cabinet; Committee on India has had to be conceded, and Commons' jealousy of Lords' superior knowledge has prevented it from being joint Committee; Mayo's local finance scheme s...
Has recommended Sir Philip Wodehouse for Governorship of Bombay (a Colonial Governor with high reputation), though not known to Argyll personally; asks Mayo to confer with him on longstanding friction between Govts of India and Bombay.
Encloses letter from Sir W Seymour Fitzgerald (Governor of Bombay) concerning denial of pay to his son while in England, and right of Governor to have discretion in such a matter on which Argyll is inclined to agree.
Acknowledges Mayo's letter explaining that minutes and notes on military reductions which were somewhat offensive were not intended to be sent home at all; briefly discusses question; question of 'formidable forces' kept by States like Gwalior and Indore; desire for Commons Committee on India has...
Encloses copy of letter to Lord Derby from Maharaja Holkar of Indore which Argyll describes as 'insolent'; Holkar's claims for substantial cession of territory as reward for services during mutiny; question of undue interference in internal affairs of states by Political Officers; possibility of ...
Despatch will be sent supporting Mayo's refusal of any concessions to Holkar; Mayo should demand explanation from him of his gun-casting and other warlike preparations; Canning's mistake in allowing Scindia and Holkar to keep armies; Napier's reference to gun-casting in Bundelkhand States; since ...