Encloses record of first three days' proceedings against Ameer Khan to show that every legal form is being taken advantage of in favour of the prisoners who are defended by two European an two native counsel – the Wahabis have plenty of money.
Regrets Commons rejection of Gladstone's proposal that parliamentary enquiry into Indian finance should be by joint committee of both houses given paucity of expertise in Commons and plenty in Lords (Salisbury, Halifax, Lawrence and Argyll); asks for copies of daily evidence to be sent to him by ...
Encloses memorandum on Fenwick's letter regarding Russian proclamations circulating in India enclosed in Mayo's letter of 29 December; in Legislative Council discussion on budget, officials who were not members of Govt of India more bitterly opposed than non-officials which shows how much the Eur...
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...
Announces appointment as Secretary of State; since Indian politics are largely unconnected with party struggles at home [the two men belonged to different parties], hopes for open and confidential communication with Mayo; will be anxious to know Mayo's views in time on all questions on which latt...
Despatch being sent agreeing to imposition of Income tax; as regards salt duties, Madras and Bombay will not be allowed to increase them; believes there is very strong evidence (but his Council dispute this) for their reduction in north west, but evidence is less strong for Bengal; hopes that, wi...