Photocopies of correspondence between the Viceroy the Earl of Mayo and the Secretary of State for India the Duke of Argyll taken from the Mayo Papers at Cambridge University Library.
Hopes John Strachey (Home Member, Governor-General's Council) will soon get KCSI; price of opium and therefore revenue likely to rise in current year; Herat appears to have fallen through treachery, which suggest Yaqub had received substantial funds from some source; on receiving an intimation th...
Local Finance scheme fairly launched despite opposition due to provincial narrow mindedness and atrocious official management of Bills, and petty jealousies among Council members; Holkar's territorial and other demands – it would be a 'grievous crime to hand over to his tender mercies a territory...
Disturbing news from Afghanistan; fears that Turkish expedition to Kutuf may necessitate complete revision of British position in Gulf and cause trouble between Turkey and Persia.
Wahabi case – efforts of English legal advisers, who 'know that these men are very rich', to spin out proceedings; has written to friends in Conservative party [among others, see a letter to Disraeli is f46] imploring them not to support motions in favour of Nawab Nazim [of Bengal ?] – wrong to i...
Goldsmid's efforts regarding Perso-Kalat boundary demarcation; hopes Turkey will not interfere with arrangements in Gulf; Saud, the Wahabi usurper, a formidable foe; on two annexation projects – of territory near Aden and of Zanzibar – is sure Argyll will agree on undesirability of commencing eit...
Situation in Afghanistan; Yaqub Khan has taken Herat, with Persian connivance contrary to their undertakings not to countenance any attack by Yaqub on his father, Sher Ali, whose throne and life are now in danger; Mayo defends his decision not to persuade Sher Ali to adopt Yaqub as his heir which...