Queen has stated through Gladstone that precedence accorded Duke of Edinburgh in India should follow Irish precedent with some modification in favour of Viceroy because of importance of maintaining latter's position 'in the face of India'.
Acknowledges Mayo's very important letter of 29 [24 ?] August; would prefer it if Mayo's suggestions for economy could avoid need for legislation; is inclined to agree Governor-General's Council should function more like cabinet with each member charged with a Department and Lawrence agrees; expl...
Glad Mayo is probing 'bottomless deficiencies' in financial system; agrees to intended increase in Income tax even during middle of financial year; Duke of Edinburgh cannot be allowed to keep all presents that may be given him; donors can be told in advance to avoid extravagance; £5000 worth of a...
Mr [J] Candlish, Chairman of Commons Committee on Abyssinian Expenditure who is to visit India to examine subject on the spot should be shown all official documents which can throw light on question.
Explains reasons for doubting advisability of making Military Member of Council rather than C-in-C sole military representative in Governor-General's Council in India; analogy with War Minister and C-in-C in England is invalid – Council's authority is much less and consequently C-in-C, India's po...
Outline of Mayo's proposed military reductions just received which Argyll will consider in conjunction with War Office and Horse Guards latter of whom will make many difficulties; Argyll objects to reducing area covered by Madras Army in favour of Bengal Army; many people think 'old vice' of pre-...
Reference in Public Works Dept circular, denouncing taking of commissions by civil engineers in India, has brought indignant denial from Institute of Civil Engineers.
Despatch on Punjab Tenancy Act went by last mail; views in Council of India on it, and on proceedings of Edward Prinsep (Settlement Commissioner, Punjab); need for landowners to be given easy access to courts to rectify errors in first record (in favour of occupancy rights) which Prinsep may have...
Opposes exclusion of C-in-C from Council which would increase rather than diminish 'power of military obstructiveness'; suggests extending Mansfield's tenure as C-in-C by a year to make him available to assist with proposed military reductions; reductions raise Imperial as well as Indian question...
Mayo's military reductions affect organisation of whole army – however, retrenchment is desired at home as well; doubts on real economy of American railway construction and therefore on utility of American engineer in India; reiterates objection to substituting Bengal for Madras regiments; change...