Mss Eur F126/7

The correspondence relates to three main periods of Lewis Pelly's life: his work in India as Agent to the Governor-General, Rajpootana [Rājasthān] and subsequently at Baroda 1870-1877; his return to England in 1877 and marriage to Amy Henrietta Lowder, 1 August 1878; and his desire for re-employment with the India Office 1878-1883.

The 1870-1877 correspondence is primarily from the Viceroy of India (Thomas George Baring, 2nd Baron Northbrook to April 1876; Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Baron Lytton from April 1876); the Viceroy's private secretary; and Maharajas, local chiefs and colleagues in Rajpootana. Subjects discussed include the deposition of the Gaekwar of Baroda; the Indian frontier and policy towards it; and Pelly's ailing health which eventually forces him to return to England in 1875.

Pelly subsequently returns to India, accompanying Lord Lytton on a negotiating mission with the Amir of Afghanistan, and the correspondence from this period consists primarily of instructions to Pelly in regard to the negotiations.

Other correspondents include journalists for the Pall Mall Gazette, Daily Telegraph, and Manchester Guardian as Pelly had numerous letters and articles published in newspapers following his return to England in 1877; correspondence with George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood on both Indian affairs and publishing matters; and correspondence with Lord Lytton, the Marquess of Salisbury (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury) and Lord Derby (Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby) 1878-1883 in which he attempts to secure employment either in India or with the India Office in London.