Mss Eur F699/1/1/2/5

Copy letter from Governor General Charles Canning to Robert Vernon Smith and Lord Ellenborough. Numbered 96-110 with index and detailed summaries. Nos. 96-100 are addressed to Robert Vernon Smith & nos. 101-110 to Lord Ellenborough. Continued from previous volume Mss Eur F699/1/1/2/4.

96. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 9 Jan 1858. Lord Canning does not think that Sir Patrick Grant is a satisfactory choice as Provisional Governor General, especially if active operations under Sir C Campbell should be going on at the same time. Elphinstone would be by far the best man; but if he were brought to Calcutta it would have to be permanently. If Elphinstone were not to be made permanent Governor General, he should be left at Bombay and Outram appointed Provisional Governor General; describes Outram.

97. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 5 Feb 1858. Lord Canning explains why he has moved to Allahabad. He is at hand to deal with the submission of the Talookdars; he must keep the peace between the Military and Civil authorities; at Allahabad he is within reach of those whose advice is necessary to reconstruct the Government; and he is close to Jung Bahadoor, who wishes constantly to refer matters to the Governor General. The length of Canning's stay at Allahabad is uncertain. On his journey he did not find the country much changed; brief description; but from Allahabad to Cawnpore there are signs of violence everywhere. Sir Colin is coming to see Canning, he is expected to be before Lucknow in less than a fortnight. There is no very sure information from Central India.

98. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 20 Feb 1858. Lord Canning writes about the award of honours. He is careful not to specify the reward. Agrees that Frere has done admirably; but others have done a great deal more. Mentions Osborne, Plowden, Halliday, Davidson and Montgomery. Does not wish to recommend for awards anyone, so long as the struggle continues for Lucknow. This only applies to civil services, the military can be honoured more swiftly. Apologises for misunderstanding Vernon Smith's remark about purging Delhi of its Mahomedanism, and agrees with the President. He has the matter of the coins with the superscription of the King of Delhi in hand, but the coins are struck in the Mints of some of the independent states, and the British have strictly no right to interfere. Writes about compensation; Canning has given no encouragement whatever to the expectation that the Government would give compensation for losses of property, but finds to his dismay that a Despatch has come out which orders a Commission of Enquiry into the various claims. In view of this Despatch Canning does not think that compensation can be avoided. Does not think a Commission a good way to assess compensation anyway. Asks what is to happen about compensation for natives. Is glad to hear of reinforcements. Rose's Nerbudda Field Force is doing well, but it is too weak in European Infantry. Canning is less anxious about the Rajpootana Field Force, which has fewer difficulties and is in better hands. Suggests that the lesser loyal chiefs be rewarded with territory, and for such as Scindia and Holkar, amendments might be made in the Treaties. Scindia wishes to have a European Force at Gwalior, and Holkar will probably ask for the same. The Contingents are a financial problem. The Police must be made to do more. Sends the first part of Major Macpherson's narrative of events connected with the revolt, mainly in Scindia's territories. It deals with the question of the origin and objects of the Mutiny, and states the opinions of Scindia's Dewan, who is by far the ablest and most far-seeing native politician Canning has met. He believes the effect attributed in the. narrative to Scindia's visit to Calcutta to be in no way exaggerated, and that the assurances Canning gave Scindia on that occasion, a similar message to the Gaekwar on his accession, and the prompt recognition both of the Gaekwar and of the Nizam when their predecessors died, have not been unproductive civilities. Canning intends to give Jung Bahadoor a handsome slice of the country at the foot of the Hills when his service is at an end. Does not share Vernon Smith's gloomy view of future relations with native states. There is no practical difficult about the King of Delhi's reception at the Cape. His examination continues. Describes Allahabad; it is the natural capital of the inland Provinces. Sir C Campbell's advance is being delayed to allow Jung Bahadoor to join him at Lucknow. Comments on the Commander in Chief's dispositions. Outram writes strongly in favour of offering easy terms to the mutineers and land-owners and people of Oudh before the city is attacked. John Lawrence is in favour of an amnesty including sepoys. Mansfield and Sir Colin appear to agree. No power on earth shall induce Canning to speak of terms to the mutineers in Lucknow until they have been driven from the City, or crushed within it. Hardly any mutineers in Oudh have been brought to justice, and the British would be despised if they offered a compromise to traitors still unbeaten. The Talookdars who have not eaten the British salt are in a very different category, and Canning will proclaim a large measure of mercy and indulgence for them, after Lucknow is taken. Any proclamation of pardon to the mutineers issued at present would be taken as a sign of weakness. Major Macpherson's narrative not annexed.

99. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 6 Mar 1858. Lord Canning comments on the latest news from Lucknow. General Macgregor has assured the Governor General so positively that Jung Bahadoor is prepared not to be waited for, that Canning considers his arrival of less importance than when he wrote on 20 Feb. Hopes Vernon Smith will have become more reconciled to the aid of the Gurkhas, they were very necessary. The men are first class soldiers, brave, honest and orderly. But their officers are utterly worthless. Other comments on the Gurkhas. Sends a letter from Sir R Hamilton about Rose's force, (not annexed) about which he is anxious. If Rose finds Jhansi too strong, he is to push on towards the Jumna. Sends Colonel Baird Smith's account of the state of the Upper Doab (not annexed), which is satisfactory, comments. Canning's letter by the last mail mentioned a Proclamation to the chiefs and landholders, which he now sends officially. He hoped to be able to send an explanatory despatch, explaining why it is in some respects so sweeping and in others so indulgent, but he has not had time. Vernon Smith will not of course print it until it has been acted upon. At present it is only part of an instruction to Outram. Sir Colin Campbell has sent home recommendations for specific rewards, acting on orders from the Duke of Cambridge; comments. The Police are being dealt with. Comments on the Enquiry into losses by the Mutinies. Hopes that no more Commissions for any purpose will be ordered at present. The Commission called for on the Army is quite impossible, every man is needed at his post.

100. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 17 Mar 1858. Lord Canning writes that he agrees with Sir Colin Campbell that Mansfield should succeed Sir Colin; should the necessity arise. The Governor General would appoint Mansfield Commander in Chief in Bengal, but he could not appoint him Commander in Chief to the Queen's Forces in India, to that post Sir H Somerset would succeed in the event of General Anson's death. Suggests the Horse Guards alters this.

101. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 2 Apr 1858. Lord Canning informs Lord Ellenborough that he has learnt by telegraph from Bombay of the change of Government in England and of Ellenborough's succession as President. He has however no letters or newspapers of later date than 17 Feb. Gives a summary of affairs. Discusses future policy, the importance of sending a force to Rohilcund now that Lucknow has been secured. Oudh will be settled by other means than arms. Gives the position in Rohilcund. Describes the deplorable mismanagement at Azimgurh. Sir James Outram is about to leave Oudh to take General Low's place in Council, and Outram's successor as Chief Commissioner is Mr Montgomery. Canning has not yet heard of any Talookdars having come in under the Proclamation. Discusses the progress of Sir Hugh Rose, and of General Whitlock. The Doab is exposed to constant alarms. The Police is being rapidly reorganized in the North West Provinces. Canning does not wish to enlist more Sikhs, they are becoming too well aware of their own strength. The officers of the Mission have been ordered to return from Kandahar, owing to rumours of disturbances there, and notice will be given to Dost Mahommed that his subsidy will cease, which he has received since the war with Persia. Ellenborough will hear later news of General Roberts' column in Rajpootana from Bombay. Bengal and Pegu [Burma] are quiet.

101a. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 6 Apr 1858. Lord Canning writes that he has still not received any official mail from England since that of 17 Feb. It is not his intention to resign the Government of India, unless he is told by the Queen's Government that this is desired.

102. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 7 Apr 1858. Lord Canning describes Sir Colin Campbell's proposals for a force for Rohilcund, and for garrisoning Lucknow. Sir Hugh Rose has taken Jhansi. There is little change in the situation at Azimgurh. Some Zemindars in Oudh have come in under the Proclamation, and some Talookdars have made indirect overtures.

103. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 16 Apr 1858. Lord Canning sends two letters from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope (not annexed), and denies that Sir George Grey in any way failed to aid the Government of India. Any delay is due to the Commander in Chief at the Cape. Comments on the arrival of reinforcements. Discusses the legality of sending he King of Delhi to the Cape.

104. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 17 Apr 1858. Lord Canning acknowledges Ellenborough's letters of 24 Feb and 9 Mar. He has called for the proceedings in the trials of the Chiefs near Delhi long since, and will hasten those concerning the Rajah of Bullubghur, whose territory shall not be disposed of until Ellenborough has seen the proceedings. The other confiscated territories are being parcelled out. Lord Canning has not had a report from Sir Hugh Rose on the execution of the Bhopal men at Sehore, he has now called for one. He understands the men were those who held the guards at the Indore Residency on 1 Jul. Thinks it would be inadvisable to return to the old system of placing the Government of Bengal in the hands of the Governor General, or Governor General in Council. Canning is sure that the administration of Bengal has improved since 1854. Believes it would be advisable for the Governor General to have the power to take over the Government of any Province in troubled times. Has a draft Resolution to transfer to the Governor General in Council more control over the Government of Calcutta. Reports the great deficiencies in the complements of the Queen's Regiments It has been calculated that 22,000 men are needed from England between Feb 1858 and Jan 1859. Lord Canning thinks this estimate, based on the assumed mortality of 20% in the Bengal Army, and 15% in the Bombay and Madras Armies, is excessive. The first detachment of Dwarf Cavalry has just arrived. At present there is a surplus of cavalry horses over men. Hopes that Ellenborough's letter for Jung Bahadoor will arrive soon, otherwise Canning will have to write the complimentary letter himself, so that Jung Bahadoor can return with it to his own Maharajah as promised.

105. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 19 Apr 1858. Lord Canning acknowledges receipt of the secret letter of 17 Mar about Jung Bahadoor. The general instruction in it agrees exactly with everything about the territory that Jung Bahadoor has been told by Canning. The letter for the Maharajah will be sent immediately. Canning hopes that Ellenborough will relax some of the instructions in the 8th, 9th, and 10th paragraphs of his letter; he will explain further by the next mail.

106. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 18 Apr 1858. Lord Canning reports a check to General Walpole's column at Roodamow, with heavy losses. He fears the effect this will have on the Oudh Zemindars. Azimgurh and Jounpore are quite safe. Sir Hugh Rose is still at Jhansi, where he has been too wasteful of his heavy ammunition. The column from Roorkee has entered Rohilcund. General Penny's force waits near Kuchla Ghat for General Walpole. Sir Colin Campbell has probably left Cawnpore to join the Rohilcund force.

107. Copy letter to Mr Vernon Smith, 1 May 1858. Lord Canning sends Mr Montgomery's last two private letters, for information about the Talookdars and landholders (not annexed). Comments on the movements of Sir J Hope Grant's force. Sir E Lugard's Brigade is heavily involved, owing to the state of affairs at Arrah and in Shahabad. Details of this disaster have not reached the Governor General yet. The sepoys who escape Lugard will go through the jungle, and infest the hills to the south and west of Mirzapore, a wild country to follow them in. Kooer Sing is said to be dead; if he lives, he may well boast that he has beaten the British twice in the field. In the north of Rohilcund Brigadier Jones' column has been successful. No details are known of General Penny's action. In the North East is Colonel McCausland's force. Lord Canning thinks Sir Colin is now reconciled to the campaign in Rohilcund, it would have been a great mistake to enclose and leave the Province to ferment during the rains. Sends the two latest letters from local officers, and instructions for the Magistrates entering Rohilcund. Sir Hugh Rose has left for Calpee. General Whitlock is at Banda. Scindia's Durbar wishes the Political Agent to return only when accompanied by 2,000 Infantry, 3 Batteries, and a Regiment of Cavalry (all European) and a force of Sikhs. This is out of the question, though obviously substantial support should be sent. The letter to the Maharajah will go when Major Macpherson returns to Gwalior, soon after the occupation of Calpee. Lord Canning has sent the 47th and 65th Regiments to China, and would like to send the 43rd; this is not a general service regiment and refuses to volunteer for China. The other regiment at Barrackpore is the 2nd Grenadiers, one of the worst in the service, and at the bottom of all the early trouble in or near Calcutta. Large numbers of Sikhs are still being used for the Police in the North West Provinces and Oudh. Canning asked some months ago for an African or West Indian Regiment so that the Sikhs could see they were not the only stand-by. Comments at length on the death of Sir William Peel, the commander of the Naval Brigade. No papers annexed.

108. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 14 May 1858. Lord Canning sends letters from the Commander in Chief, from Oudh, and, from Sir Hugh Rose's Camp (not annexed). Rohilcund may be considered as disposed of, though there will be harassing attacks from rebels and sepoys during the rains. Shahjehanpore has been relieved. General Penny lost his life through faulty information, and through neglecting to send out an advance guard. Further comments on the military situation. The Rajah of Amethee's fort will have to be destroyed. Among all the successes, no leader of note has been captured, and only one, Kooer Sing, has been killed. Is anxious lest the Nana and Tantia Topee should break out to Bundelcund and westward, during the rains. Sir E Lugard has done well at Jugdespore. Comments at length on the dangers of discharging or sending on furlough sepoys. All the disturbances in the Central Provinces and on the other side of the Jumna have only become formidable when supported by a body of sepoys, often a mere handful.

109. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 27 May 1858. Lord Canning reports Sir Hugh Rose's success at Calpee. His European Regiments will now go to Gwalior, accompanied by Rose if his health permits. Suggests he deserves the GCB. At the news of the fall of Calpee the rebels evacuated Humeerpoor and seem to be going into Oudh. Comments on progress in Rohilcund. Hope Grant has returned with his column to Lucknow, having failed to reach the Amethee Rajah's fort. His force was very unwieldy, encumbered with two months provisions and many sick. Montgomery says that Benee Madhoo and Nurput Sing are now almost the only Talookdars in arms against the Government; comments on this, there are certainly some chiefs on the far side of the Gogra still in arms. The Oudh rebels are divided into the Begum's party and the Moulvee's party. The Government will endeavour to encourage mistrust among the rebels. The Commissioner of Goruckpore asks what number of sepoys will be pardoned if they deliver up Mahommed Hoossen, a civil officer of the ex-King's Government. Canning replied that all sepoys active in delivering the man would be pardoned, provided they were not proved to have murdered Europeans. Disposition of the troops during the rains will be altered. General Lugard has had a success at Jugdeespoor. The Commissioner of Nagpore reports that some Thakoors on the left bank of the Wein Gunga have been trying to enlist aid from the Nizam's people; and the Resident at Hyderabad telegraphed some days ago of threatened disturbance at or near Jaulna. Hopes Lord Elphinstone will be able to cope. The risk of an outburst in the Deccan is formidable, and Canning will send the 'Simoon' to the Cape for another regiment. If Sir George Grey can send no men, the 'Simoon' will continue to England.

110. Copy letter to Lord Ellenborough, 10 Jun 1858. Lord Canning states that the mutiny of Scindia's troops revives the serious risks which he hoped were past. The seizure of Gwalior will not give as much trouble as the encouragement the disaster will give to disturbances in the Mahratta country and in the Deccan. There is no means of finding seasoned troops, except perhaps from the Cape. Asks for fresh regiments from England if possible. Canning has nothing to add to the Despatches about Gwalior, except that Sir Hugh Rose will arrive about the 16th or 17th, not the 12th. Hopes the .rebels will leave Gwalior for Kotah or Jeypore, and not towards Indore or the Nerbudda. To pursue them in either direction would be hopeless in the present season. Lord Canning says he has taken a liberty with Ellenborough's letter to Jung Bahadoor; for Ellenborough addressed him as though he were master in Nepal, which Jung Bahadoor is very far from being. It would be embarrassing if he could pretend that the British Government favoured his claims to power. Asks if the old boundary between Oudh and Nepal may be restored. Canning is trying to collect a force to replace the Naval Brigades in Gorruckpore and Behar. Half a battalion of Sikh Police is on its way to relieve the 'Pearl's' Brigade.