Discusses at length considerations to be taken into account in issuing amnesty; danger of issuing one prematurely illustrated by experience in Bundelkhand where Canning made that mistake [the risk is lack of take-up]; suggests procedure for pardoning rebels and issue of general amnesty which shou...
Encloses three papers [not present] showing evidence of returning normality; gives statistics of showing relatively high proportion of revenue collected in N W Provinces for 1857/58; best results come from districts where fighting was heaviest partly because in areas where rebels were left undist...
Brief review of military situation; has some respect for Tantia Topi's abilities; Lawrence states Multan affair has renewed panic among Europeans and disturbed disarmed regiments; trustworthy remnants of regiments being formed into Corps which Canning plans to send up Trunk Road to be seen by Sik...
Arrangements for issuing Proclamation not yet decided; rumours at Patna that Govt intends to take opportunity of constitutional change to repudiate Permanent Settlement and Company debt.
Refers to Stanley's letter of 9 September (1); gives reasons why Straits Settlements should be transferred to Colonial Office, not least because a staff conversant with Chinese inhabitants and language cannot be provided from India; discusses need to strengthen defences of Singapore and develop i...
Is sending his first letter to Queen since change of government; discusses question of correspondence between Governor-General and Crown touching on constitutional implications.
Lists places at which Proclamation will be read on 1 November (in English and vernacular); there will be celebrations and parades, though Canning would have preferred 'less show and noise'; comments on various points in Proclamation; praises passages relating to religion – 'I almost envy you bein...
Acknowledges Stanley's letter of 9 [sc. 8] September; impracticability of inviting all Chiefs to do homage on transfer of government to Crown; among the reasons are the facts that Canning does not have enough troops with him to make an impressive show in upper provinces, and chiefs 'hate the name...
Proposes to appoint Montgomery to succeed Lawrence as Chief Commissioner in Punjab, and to make it a Lt-Governorship partly as mark of honour to Lawrence; only a few suitable candidates to succeed Montgomery; (Sir) G Edmonstone (Foreign Secretary) to become Lt-Governor of N.W. Provinces; (Sir) J ...