Preparations at Bombay for Persian campaign; size (5000 men) and objectives of force; decision, chiefly on grounds of expense, not to send division from Bengal as well as one from Bombay; further justification for not sending officers to Herat; more money will have to be given to Amir; small subs...
Preparations for Persian campaign; comments on Maj-Gen Stalker; good policy to keep aloof from entanglement in Afghanistan with Amir's death approaching.
Refers to Vernon Smith's letter of 25 August; Ritchie's refusal of judgeship at Madras; is delighted Vernon Smith informs Canning of what Chairs and others say about him; answers their criticisms regarding Queen of Oudh, and discusses treatment which should be accorded to King and Queen; despite ...
Preparations for Persian expedition; Capt J F Jones (Indian Navy, Political Agent, Persian Gulf) reports great difficulties of roads between Bushire and Shiraz, and in obtaining transport animals from Turkish side of Gulf; Bombay Govt estimates cost of expedition for Sep 1856-Apr 1857 at 52 lakhs...
Discusses at length impracticability of any inland operations in Persia with only six regiments of European infantry; therefore an advance beyond Bushire to Shiraz would be extremely hazardous; India can spare no more European troops – Canning has already gone to 'the utmost bounds of prudence'; ...
Receipt of instructions for Persian expedition to sail; it plans to rendezvous on 25 November at entrance to Gulf; comments on its commander General Stalker; if operations inland are embarked on Canning proposes to put Anson in charge; important that commander of mixed force of Queen's and Compan...
[Refers to Vernon Smith's letter of 26 September]; no fear of caste feelings being excited by new Enlistment Regulation which applies only to new recruits; recruits to Bombay Army already enlist for general service; no sign of suspicions among existing recruits that they may be compelled to cross...
How dispute with Persia should be presented to 'our own Orientals' - comments on last letter from Lord Clarendon (Foreign Secretary) to Persia and his own much simpler proclamation to India; [refers to Vernon Smith's letter of 10 October]; no admission given Amir that he has any rights over Herat...