Acknowledges Mayo's letter of 1 September; sorry to hear financial forecast for 1872/73 less good because of opium prospects; answers Mayo's complaints regarding control exercised by Home Govt on various matters, for example, manufacture of gun carriages, and control of military expenditure; agre...
Has appointed Sir Henry Maine (formerly Law Member of Governor-General's Council) to Council of India – he will add 'much needed element of strength to the Council by his reputation among men of intellectual eminence in this country'.
Agrees that Mayo has taken right view in controversy with Muir over local taxes, that they should all be liable to increase from time to time; feels he must consult Cabinet on Gwalior; possibility that 'row' with Gwalior army would be useful by giving occasion to suppress it altogether; risks of ...
Mayo's letter to Amir seems to have had good effect, but situation in Afghanistan could change again; Yaqub boasts of having obtained money from Persia – gates of Herat clearly opened by bribery; encloses memorandum on Alwar case.
Refers to Mayo's letter of 8 July; Mayo must exercise his own judgement regarding his Council arrangements – Argyll has no objection; he and Gladstone both approve Mayo's explanations in his despatch regarding relations with Afghanistan; wishes Russia could be persuaded to admit that river Oxus m...
Problems caused by over 50% cut in recruitment to Indian Civil Service suddenly proposed by Mayo; ICS examination is very severe; such diminution can be made, but only with due notice; for this year only a smaller cut can be agreed; undue growth in number of posts filled by uncovenanted civil ser...
New claims in respect of home military charges now being made by War Office and Treasury against Indian revenues: 1stly that under principles already admitted India is not paying enough, 2ndly that as India employs about third of the army she ought to bear third of all military expenditure; latte...
Has made Lady Mayo's acquaintance; Argyll had only one supporter in Council on question of cesses [i.e. local taxes] in Bengal for roads and education; explains legal problem concerning imposition of cesses; candidates for Star of India.
Fowler's opinion that there will be virtually no saving by adopting narrow gauge on certain particular railway lines; leaving decision on this matter to Mayo unusual – 'questions of such magnitude being generally decided by Home Govt especially when referred to us' – but done in this case because...
Refers to Mayo's letter of 13 November; premature publication of Mayo's agricultural despatch, and difficulty of maintaining secrecy among 15 members of Council of India; unanimous opposition from Council (which Argyll largely shares) to Govt of India'a Act on Weights and Measure which goes far b...