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...