Ellenborough's only sign of life towards Vernon Smith has been curt note approving of Elphinstone's appointment as provisionanl Governor-General; Pratt's exclusion has been attributed to Canning; fuss over this appointment convinces Vernon Smith that attacks on Canning emanated from low church pa...
Pleased at news from Lucknow; believes Canning will receive a West India Regiment; Ellenborough does not wish to increase Queen's regiments in India but hopes to maintain existing complement by sending drafts of recruits; is in communication with officers on whom he places most reliance regarding...
Refers to Canning's letter of 20 February; problem of awarding honours; agrees with Canning about Frere; if there was anything wrong with despatch on compensation, it arose 'from that eternal system of compromise between the Court [of Directors] and Board which mars so much correspondence'; Direc...
Comments approvingly on Cambell's operations at Lucknow; has secured Cabinet agreement to increase Company's European infantry by three regiments which he propose should be officered by officers of mutinied regiments; one regiment going to India from Australia, and two from the Cape; reasons why ...
Asks for reports on efficiency of 'young gentlemen' recruited to civil service by competitive examination compared with that of those sent out under former system.
Uneasy relations with France caused hesitation concerning despatch of remainder of 57th regiment to Bombay following Elphinstone's urgent request; arrangements for further reinforcements; hopes four or five of hardest-worked regiments can be relieved – believes it would produce excellent effect i...
Letter from Sir G Clerk (Secretary to Board of Control) to Canning
Scope & Content:
Suggests Canning might find it worthwhile to see his son who has recently been attached to mission to Heart and is returning via Khorasan and Persia to India for information on those parts; Lord Stanley will probably be Ellenborough's successor [On 10 May Ellenborough resigned following the contr...
Expresses hope, shared by his father Lord Derby (Prime Minister), that nothing that has passed in Parliament will lead Canning to resign; hopes Canning will write as frankly as he intends to do, and assures him of Government's support.
Has not written earlier chiefly because of Canning's superior knowledge but there are now one or two points on which Canning should know Ministry's intentions; plans for despatch of European troops; complaints from Duke of Cambridge (C-in-C, British Army) regarding dispersal of European force in ...