Drummond's appointment to N.W.Provinces in preference to (Sir) W Muir (Member, Board of Revenue, N.W.P.); importance of appointing persons with experience at centre to Lt-Governorships, and of preventing patronage dispensed by Lt-Governors falling too much into hands of local cliques; comments on...
News of fall of Herat; Trevelyan's proposal to sell dockyards; though Indian Navy is being reduced, Elgin feels Royal Navy should be consulted; comments on Trevelyan's mode of reasoning and tendency to form opinions without full consideration; colleagues seem willing to defer to Elgin's judgement...
Explains how it has arisen that rules of procedure for Madras Council but not Bengal allow Counsel to be heard; his disallowance of Bill from Bombay Council giving them the power to create offices.
Sir Proby Cautley's plan for arresting damage to Ganges canal caused by water passing over the falls; confirms report of Dost Muhammad's death; will be very wary of meddling in Afghan affairs; situation on frontier; relative precedence of Maharajas of Jind and Nabha and difficulties such trifles ...
Sends papers relating to levy of Sikhs for Ceylon – root of problem seems to be designation 'Pioneers' given by Ceylon Government to their Coolie Corps.
Two despatches are being sent critical of Govt of India for backing Military Finance Dept's attack on Home Govt for sending out unnecessary men and stores [see also postscript]; criticisms of Laing's agreement with Bank for issue of currency.
Has received Canning's letter of 4 March announcing scheme for Indian Medical Service is on its way; will postpone action on Indian Navy, and reclamation of land at Bombay until he has seen Canning and Sir George Clerk (retiring Governor of Bombay).
Laing's defence of his estimate of troop numbers; cannot sanction Government of India's Contract Bill; is sending out (Sir) Henry Maine [to be Legal Member of Council].