Despatches being sent to Canning approving his handling of claim by Company's European troops for discharge, and enquiring position regarding King of Delhi and ex-King of Oudh, about which questions sure to be raised in Parliament.
Council [of India – i.e. Secretary of State's Council] approves Canning's view on question of Company's European troops; is seeking legal opinion on competence of Parliament to transfer services of men without their consent; is inclined to agree they should be given some concession as a favour, n...
Letter from Talbot to Lewin Bentham Bowring (Canning's Private Secretary)
Scope & Content:
Encloses further letter from Capt Scot forwarding one from Mrs Jane Mawe (widow of Assistant Surgeon Thomas Mawe, 12th N.I) pleading for the Nawab of Banda who had saved her life.
[Refers to Canning's letter of 30 November]; brief comments on Lucknow regiments, Durand's request to be provisional member of Governor-General's Council, and D'Orgoni.
Attorney-General, and most probably other Law Officers, confirm power of Parliament to transfer Company's European troops to Crown; both he and Derby approve course followed by Canning as detailed in his letter of 3 December.
Appointment of Sir C Trevelyan as Governor of Madras; probability that Durand will be elected to fill vacancy in Council of India where his military knowledge will be invaluable; Military Commission has done little good; probable that there will be considerable local army part of which will be Eu...
Refers to Canning's letter of 17 December regarding unauthorised publication of Lawrence's views on educational and religious question; opposes establishing bible classes in Government schools which would 'do mischief both to the cause of education and to that of good government' and thinks Parli...
Refers to Canning's letters of 17 and 18 December; Durand elected to Council of India; but for Lord Palmerston's promise Stanley would be inclined to concede nothing to Company's European troops; necessity of local European army recognised by Cabinet but only reluctantly by military authorities; ...
Refers to earlier letter on opium [cf his letters of 17 November and 2 December(1)] in which he proposed substitution of private cultivation, with an excise, for existing Govt monopoly; Elgin's success in obtaining legalisation of opium trade with China removes main objection to present system an...