Mss Eur F699/1/1/2/20

Copies of letters from Governor General Charles Canning to Sir John Lawrence. Numbered 1-38 with index and detailed summaries.

1. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 1 Apr 1856. Lord Canning congratulates Lawrence on his well-earned honour. Consents to the arrangement whereby Lawrence's brother, Captain R Lawrence, will act as the Chief Commissioner's Military Secretary during the absence of Major Macpherson, and Lieutenant Ross will act for Captain Lawrence. Lord Canning agrees to an expedition against the Bozdars if it is necessary to secure the border, and if a more moderate course would not be effective. Private.

2. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 9 Apr 1856. Lord Canning writes that it is very possible an Expedition will be sent to the Persian Gulf and perhaps into the interior of Persia; asks whether any part of the Punjab Irregular Force could be spared for Persia, and various other questions connected with this suggestion. Lord Canning has heard from Teheran that the Shah's Government have been making demonstrations against England, and identifying the British with Dost Mahomed's seizure of Kandahar, and that Persian troops are actually marching on Kandahar. Dost Mahomed has been sent word of this by the Consul at Teheran, so Lawrence will probably receive some word from the Amir. Confidential.

3. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 24 Apr 1856. Lord Canning is content to leave the decision about the Bozdars to Lawrence's discretion. Authority will be given to an officer in Cashmere as suggested, though Canning does not think the Commander in Chief will make that authority more absolute or formal than it has been hitherto if the officer is not of higher rank than Captain or Major. Lord Canning has heard nothing from Sir Henry Lawrence about the Political Agency of Bhurtpore, except that in March he was very dissatisfied with Major Morrieson. Private.

4. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 20 May 1856. Lord Canning informs Sir John Lawrence that the answer to Dost Mahomed will be sent off the same day, and a copy sent to Lawrence. Fears that it will be very unpalatable to the Amir. Any aid to the Dost is impossible at present, while the Government of India is so ill-informed about the dispute with the Shah. Canning fears that a rupture with Persia is becoming more and more likely, though of course nothing can be done by sea until the monsoon is over. Thanks Lawrence for his clear letter of 17 Apr, and agrees with Lawrence's remarks about the requirements of the Frontier, and about the selection of officers to be sent with the troops for foreign service. If the trouble with Persia comes to a head, the Government will have to consider the aid to be given to the Amir; men are out of the question, but money and arms could be given. Lord Canning asks if any control should be kept over the purposes for which the money is spent. Private.

5. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 3 Jun 1856. Lord Canning agrees to the appointment of Captain Adams as 1st class Assistant Commissioner in the Punjab. His Excellency shares all Lawrence's fears for Dost Mahomed, the more so as the last accounts through Sind describe his troops as disorganized and starving. Canning fears too for the British reputation in Afghanistan; but the injunctions of the Home Government leave the Government of India no choice. Private.

6. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 13 Jun 1856. Lord Canning sends a reassurance that he will not take Colonel Fraser away from Sir John Lawrence; the Chief Engineer of Oudh will be Major Anderson, not entirely satisfactory, but the best available. Asks for an appreciation of Anderson, his strong and weak points. It would be easy to spend a great deal of money on works in Oudh; but there is much to be done with moderate expenditure. Asks if Major Anderson's judgement would be sound enough to deal with such questions. Private.

7. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 23 Jun 1856. Lord Canning regrets that he cannot make Lieutenant Browne an Inspector in the Educational Department, but the orders of the Court are very positive, and as long as Browne is in the Queen's service, he is debarred from the Department. Lord Canning is about to propose that there should be a much more liberal admission of Queen's officers to military appointments in the Company's service. Lord Canning will accept with much pleasure Lieutenant Fane's lithograph of the Punjab Riflemen; His Excellency looks forward to the day when he will visit the Punjab himself. The last news from Herat and Kandahar tallies with the news from Colonel Edwardes. Lord Canning has heard from the Persian Gulf that the Persian Army at Herat is in a state of utter destitution, even of ammunition, but that nevertheless a force has been detached from the Army in the direction of Kandahar. This should give the Amir a good chance, if the news is true.

8. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 6 Jul 1856. Lord Canning thanks Sir John for his letter of 23 Jun and hopes he will always state his views in the same spirit of full confidence. The official recommendation of Captain Adams received from Lawrence has not been replied to because Lord Canning wished first to hear from Lawrence about the over-stocking of the Commission. Private.

9. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 23 Jul 1856. Lord Canning asks for information about Lieutenant Henderson, an officer of the Engineers now employed on the road between Lahore and Peshawur, as he has been suggested as a suitable Head for the new College of Engineers in Calcutta. Private.

10. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 24 Jul 1856. Lord Canning finds Lawrence's reasons against sending the European troops to a temporary sanatorium near the Cheerah pass conclusive; and Nowshera will probably be used instead Major Nicholson may have authority to settle differences between the servants of British officers, and even small cases of assault, when the Maharajah's Government will not interfere. But he must be careful to avoid conflict with the Maharajah's jurisdiction. Lord Canning is strongly in favour of non-interference in the case of the Cashmere Jagheerdars. Discusses the appointment of a permanent Agent at Cashmere. Lord Canning is inclined against the scheme, but probably there are reasons in favour of a permanent Agent of which he is not aware. Returns thanks for the prints. Private.

11. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 24 Jul 1856. Lord Canning writes that if the reports which have arrived from Kelat are true, there is not much hope that relations with Persia will be cleared up peaceably. A Persian force is said to be in the neighbourhood of Julk, and levying contributions from the Bawah Country. It seems very likely that Lawrence will be called upon to provide the 1,880 or 2,000 men suggested earlier. Asks for any information about Dost Mahomed's health; if he is alive and well, he will probably be given arms but if he is sick, and there is a chance that his sons and nephews will inherit the muskets, the guns might as well be kept in India. If the Dost is in good health, asks what arms and money should be sent. Private.

12. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 28 Jul 1856. Lord Canning replies to Sir John Lawrence's letter about the importance of selecting a good man for the command of the Persian Expedition. Canning agrees that the man should have large political as well as military experience, and be in full vigour; and asks where is there such a man. Names Sir H Somerset, and Colonel S Cotton, the two most suitable men, though neither is satisfactory for neither has political experience in Eastern matters. Lord Canning does not consider rank and present command to be of much account; nor is he influenced by the choice of the Queen's or the Company's officers. Begs for Lawrence's most private thoughts on the matter. Most private.

13. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 28 Jul 1856. Lord Canning informs Lawrence that if a force is sent to Persia in, Oct it will consist of l3,000 or 14,000 men, states how this number will be made up. Asks for information as to the best way of moving troops down the Indus in Sep. Private.

14. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 20 Aug 1856. Lord Canning thanks Lawrence for his letter, which did not quite arrive in time to save Canning from telegraphing about the remittances to Kandahar and Kabul. There is now no chance of the Bengal part of an Expeditionary Force to the Persian Gulf being required to sail in Oct. The Bombay column will be sent first. In 2 or 3 days a letter for the Amir will be sent to Lawrence, granting the arms asked for and making arrangements for their transfer on the Frontier. Bengal has no flint muskets, 30,000 were broken up in 1854, and so Bombay has been drawn upon. Describes how the muskets and ammunition will be packed and conveyed. Dost Mahomed asked for 2,000 guns, but 4,000 are being sent, and Lawrence may give him as much of the whole supply as he pleases. 5 lacs of Rupees are being sent by bills to the Amir through Lawrence. Lord Canning is doubtful about the use of sending a British officer to Kandahar, and the Amir must say if he wishes such a man, and he must guarantee to protect him. Asks Lawrence to name a suitable officer by telegraph, suggests Major Lumsden. Private.

15. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 14 Sep 1856. Lord Canning states that the answer for Essan Khan's envoys went to Lawrence on 13 Sep. His Excellency cannot consent to send a single British officer to Herat, the situation there is far too dangerous. Authority has been given to send the Khan 2 lacs, Lawrence must decide how the money is to be conveyed to the Khan. Lord Canning hopes the change in the route by which the arms are being sent will not cause confusion. Word will be sent in a few days about the Government's intentions towards Persia. Private.

16. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 24 Sep 1856. Lord Canning will send Mr Roberts to Lawrence as soon as possible. Captain Adams cannot be appointed to the Commission until the financial question is cleared up. The Governor General regrets that he had to refuse Captain McNeile's request. Agrees to Brigadier Chamberlain's suggestion of obtaining officers temporarily from the General at Peshawur, Lord Canning regrets the vacancies in the Punjab Force, which he can find no way to fill. Canning will consider the proposals about the cantonment of Derah Ismail Khan, and the transfer of the Sikh local Corps to the Frontier; asks for a memorandum on the Peshawur arrangements. Asks for further information about the Punjabi beards, he is unwilling to make an exception in favour of the Punjabis, who had not such a strong claim to retain their beards as the Sikhs. Returns thanks to Lawrence for the magnificent work done in the Punjab and recorded in the Punjab Report of 1854-6. Regrets that Lawrence must be prepared for a large curtailment of the funds available for Public Works. Private.

17. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 25 Sep 1856. Lord Canning explains why he has not written further about the Force to be sent from Bengal to Persia. On 11 Jul Lord Clarendon addressed a summons to the Sedr Azim requiring the Persians to retire from Herat, or war would be declared. The Shah's Minister received this about the middle of Aug and by the present time the answer must be known in London, though Lord Canning has no knowledge of it as yet. No active hostilities are to be begun from India until the Queen's Government have given their decision on the Sedr Azim's answer. If necessary the Force at Bombay will leave as soon as possible for the Gulf. It will consist of about 5,000 men, much larger than is necessary for the first objective, which is the occupation of Bushire and Karrack. The last information from the Gulf makes the Governor General fear that Commissariat arrangements will be more difficult than anticipated. The larger Force from Bengal must not leave India until it is certain that everything will be ready for an advance into the interior upon their landing. It is not likely that the troops will be required to assemble at Kurrachee before the end of the year. Thanks Lawrence for the confidence with which he wrote about the command of the Expedition. The Governor General thinks that Sir John Lawrence's brother has been too long away from military duties, although politically he would have every confidence in Sir Henry Lawrence. General Penny seems suitable, but is too old. Brigadier Cotton should be placed high, but his antecedents will not justify his being at the top. Meanwhile the Bombay Force will be under the command of General Stalker. A letter has been sent to Lawrence for Dost Mahomed, explaining the situation about Persia, and offering more assistance if necessary for the relief of Herat. Lawrence is empowered to offer another 5 lacs to Dost Mahomed. Lord Canning agrees with Lawrence's views on the policy of leaning upon the Afghans, and of the extent to which their support may be trusted. Private.

18. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 13 Oct 1856. Lord Canning approves of Lawrence's entrusting the money for Essan Khan to the Amir. Fears there may be a delay in sending the arms because of the change of plans. Colonel Jacob's proposal to send the 3 lacs to the Amir by the Bolan Pass has been approved, hopes the Amir will not now want the money sent by the Peshawur route. His Excellency regrets that he does not see his way to appointing Mr Penn as Deputy Commissioner Simla, he therefore intends to appoint Lieutenant Maxwell.

19. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 23 Oct 1856. Lord Canning approves of Lawrence's scheme for sending the 2nd lac of Rupees to Essan Khan, though there are obvious risks. Doubts if it was desirable to make the bills current for as long as 2 years, though no doubt Lawrence had good reasons for doing this. If the Court leave the choice to the Governor General he does not intend to relax the rule about the absence of Captains from their regiments on account of the increase about to be given in that grade. But Lord Canning will make an exception in favour of Captain Wilde, on public grounds, though this is the first exception to this rule he has made. Lord Canning considers he will agree with Lawrence's views on the promotion of officers in the Public Works Department. Awaits with interest the paper on Regular or Irregular troops in the Peshawur Valley. The Governor General will write again on the question of massing of European regiments on or near the North West Frontier.

20. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 23 Oct 1856. Lord Canning will consider Colonel George Lawrence's wish for Lieutenant Forbes to be made Assistant Commissioner in the Punjab.

21. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 2 Nov 1856. Lord Canning informs Sir John Lawrence that a telegraphic reply has been sent to Lawrence's letter of 31 Oct. If the Amir wishes to confer with a high British authority, Lord Canning thinks he should be able to do so. Whether the meeting should be with Lawrence, or with Lieutenant Colonel Edwardes, the Governor General leaves to Lawrence's decision. Lord Canning is unable to decide what amount of subsidy to the Amir would be considered fair. If the Afghans compelled the Persian Army, or a large portion of it, to withdraw their attention from Heart, the Governor General would be willing to pay at the full rate of 10 lacs. Believes that the Amir would dispute the amount of the subsidy, rather than the conditions attached. Dost Mahomed is pretty certain to object to the condition that the subsidy shall cease if Herat is taken by the Persians, but Canning thinks this should be understood, or at least that the agreement shall be reviewed if Herat falls. At present England and the Amir are united as to the policy of keeping the Persians out of Herat; but the policy as to the ultimate condition of Herat is not agreed between England and the Amir. The British want Herat to be independent, or if this is impossible, not dependent upon Persia, and not a starting point from which Persia or Persian instigators may put pressure upon India. The Amir desires Herat for himself. The British purpose might be served by taking an equivalent to Herat elsewhere in Persia, which would enable the British to put a pressure upon Persia at will. Lord Canning does not wish the British to be committed to aid the Amir against Herat indefinitely. Though it is desirable to have Herat in friendly hands, Canning would not wage a war upon the faith of the dictum that Herat is the Key of India. No men can be offered to the Amir save one of two officers, who will see in a general way that the subsidy money is spent for the right purpose. Lawrence will not want to spare Major Lumsden for so protracted a task, asks for suggestions as to suitable officers. The Court of Directors have sent out some Crimean officers, Ballard and North are at Bombay and if Lawrence knows of no-one suitable on the Frontier, these two officers could be sent up. Suggests that it would be convenient if the subsidy were paid at short intervals, perhaps monthly.

22. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 3 Nov 1856. Lord Canning has just heard that Major North, one of the officers sent out from England, was for some time at Kandahar and also at Herat. Asks for telegraphic information about officers suitable for attachment to the Amir, if none is available on the Frontier, Major North will be sent to Peshawur.

23. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 2 Dec 1856. Lord Canning has received Lawrence's letter of 21 Nov and telegraphic messages. The Governor General is willing to subsidise the Amir in spite of the fall of Herat, but the object of the alliance is no longer so clear. It is necessary to know what the Amir can do, and the condition upon which he shall receive aid in doing it. There can be no question of the Amir taking Herat, he should be asked what kind of reprisals blockade he could perform. Failing these, could he contain the Persians within their own frontier (apart from Herat). If the Amir persists in answering vaguely, and asking what the Government would like him to do with his troops, he should be told that the Government expected to find an independent ally, not a collection of mercenaries. Let him say what he would do if he had money, and he shall be told how much money the British will give him to carry out his plans. The Amir may wish to know how the Government would view his possession of Herat, and Lord Canning is willing to assure him that if the Amir took Herat his possession would not be disturbed. Aid in maintaining himself in Herat is more than the Governor General can promise, but it would probably be forthcoming. The Government cannot engage to continue its assistance to Dost Mahomed after terms have been made with Persia, even though Herat should not have recovered it's independence. Lord Canning is quite unable to leave Calcutta at present, but anyway does not think it desirable that he should meet the Amir.

24. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 18 Jan 1857. Lord Canning thanks Sir John Lawrence and Colonel Edwardes for the admirable way in which they have conducted negotiations; he has just received the draft of the Articles of Agreement with the Amir. The object of the meeting has been obtained completely, and whether the war with Persia continues or not, the Treaty and the negotiations will establish a much more satisfactory understanding with the Amir. Hopes the Afghans will now realise that the British have no desire to march into Afghanistan. Asks for further information about the Amir's attitude to some parts of the Treaty. Asks for Lawrence's opinion as to the best means of disposing of Herat. The news from Bushire arrived opportunely. General Outram has been appointed by the Queen's Government to negotiate terms of peace, and has left to take up his command. He will receive reinforcements of about 6,000 men with which Lord Canning hopes Outram will be able to occupy advanced posts in two directions, in the hills between Bushire and Shiraz, and up the Karoon River, probably at Shuster. After the monsoon the two forces will be joined by a Bengal Division. Lord Canning will never consent to send a British army against Persia through Afghanistan.. He believes it was a great mistake to preach the importance of the independence of Herat. Lord Canning has heard that the fall of Herat to Persia will be looked upon in India, especially by the natives, as a disparagement of the Government's power and a sign of weakness. The Governor General hopes that Lawrence delivered his message of compliments to the Amir; Lord Canning was inclined to send a message of welcome, but to welcome the Amir to Peshawur might have looked like a bad joke. Asks about the 7th article of the Treaty, and if Lawrence has any object in binding the Government of India to retain a European officer at Kabul? Canning does not think this would be desirable.

25. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 19 Jan 1857. Lord Canning informs Lawrence that Colonel Fraser has been appointed Chief Engineer of the North West Provinces. He will have to leave the Punjab before very long, Canning asks Lawrence to name a replacement officer. Canning believes that he will be able to carry out Lawrence's wishes, by not sending Colonel Napier back to the Punjab. Asks for Lawrence's opinion of Major Laughton. Canning has received Lawrence's answer to the message about the Punjab Cavalry, and no more shall be said. Private.

26. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 12 Feb 1857. Lord Canning comments on the Bozdar Expedition and that against the Vizerees; the Government's aim should be to put the border into order so that if necessary troops may be sent from the Punjab Force to the Bengal Division for the Persian Gulf at the end of the monsoon. Whatever is done, must be done quickly and thoroughly. Lord Canning presumes that these tribes are not Afghans, and not therefore within the meaning of the Amnesty Article of the Agreement.

27. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 13 Feb 1857. Lord Canning asks what arrangements should be made for the command of the Guides during Major Lumsden's absence. Books and maps for Lumsden have been sent. Sir John will have heard of his brother's appointment to Oudh, which is gratifying to Sir Henry; Lord Canning is very well satisfied upon every score except that of Sir Henry Lawrence's health. Returns thanks for Lieutenant Fane's drawings.

28. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 21 Mar 1857. Lord Canning proposes to send to the Punjab as Acting Chief Engineer Major Ommaney, who seems more reliable than Daughton. Canning has considered Lawrence's proposal to dispense with the Chief Engineer altogether, but does not think it would work well. Lawrence may deal with M Marcadieu in any way he pleases. Major Lumsden's correspondence may be sent through Lieutenant Colonel Edwardes with advantage. Asks why Lumsden has not set out, hopes it is not true that he is to take a very large body of troops with him. Lord Canning is doing his best to fill the vacancies in the Punjab regiments.

29. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 20 Apr 1857. Lord Canning comments on the text of the Treaty with Persia which he has just received from England. The four articles which deal with Herat are better than the Governor General dared to hope. An Armistice is to be established immediately, and the ratifications are to be exchanged at Baghdad within three months. The Amir must be induced to suspend hostilities also. The Government of England has no fear that the Shah will not ratify, but they urge that the terms of the Treaty should not be made known in India until ratifications have been exchanged. The articles of the Treaty sent to Lawrence are only to be seen by Lawrence and Edwardes. The substance in very general terms will have to be conveyed to the Amir, probably by letter sent by an ordinary messenger. The subsidy will remain undisturbed until peace is completed, and for three months thereafter, though this need not be mentioned yet. Asks Lawrence's opinion of the Treaty; the wording is slovenly, for in Article V Herat is called part of Afghanistan, and in Article VI Herat and Afghanistan are named as two distinct countries. The future disposal of the place is not touched upon.

30. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 2 May 1857. Lord Canning regrets that he cannot allow Sir John Lawrence to go to Cashmere, it is distasteful to the Governor General to have to refuse the proposal. In the present situation, with Golab Sing dying, it would be supposed that the visit of the Chief Commissioner was to prepare for some kind of interference in the state. Such a presumption would have at least as much reason as the assertion that Brigadier Chamberlain had been sent against Kabul, or that Scindia came to Calcutta to help the Government out of its money difficulties. It is probable that Golab Sing's death will be followed by feuds, and that the upstart claimant will be Jowahur Sing, fresh from the Punjab. This would make the Chief Commissioner's visit even more inopportune. The sepoys have not yet been finished with; the 34th Regiment more deeply tainted by far than the 19th remains to be dealt with. There will be a large disbandment, but not extending to the whole Corps, which was divided at the time of its offences. The cartridges, and a general feeling of danger to caste, is at the bottom of the disaffection with the common herd of the men, fomented and played up from outside, either by the Brahmins, or for political purposes. The execution of a subadar at Barrackpore has had as great an effect as the disbandment of the 19th Regiment.

31. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 25 May 1857. Lord Canning has received Lawrence's letters of the 13th, and has sent full authority to carry out the proposals of Lawrence's telegraphic message. The Governor General had hoped that the sepoy regiments in the Punjab might have been trusted, but he has entire faith in Lawrence's judgement. From Calcutta to Agra the Government is in a very different position and yet play a very different game. With the exception of Dinapore, where there is one weak Queen's regiment, not a single European soldier exists over a stretch of 750 miles. It would be impossible to take the sepoys arms from them, and there are no sufficient numbers of any other class in whose hands the arms could be placed with safety. If the rebels at Delhi are crushed before the flame spreads, all will go well. Time is everything and delay will severely try Cawnpore, Allahabad, Benares and Oudh. Sir Henry Lawrence's whole course at Lucknow has been admirable. Urges Sir John Lawrence not to be afraid of increasing Irregulars. The Mahommedans are implicated in the rising just as much as the Hindus. If the movements spreads, Lord Canning believes it will soon become more political than religious. At the moment the Mahommedans are however, slightly more trustworthy than Hindus; but nothing but Europeans will do as soon as the Government comes to set things in order again. The regiments are coming into Calcutta, the Madras Fusiliers, the 35th, the Queen's Regiment in Ceylon, some Malays, and the regiments for China. The Commander in Chief will be before Delhi on the 26th; if short work is made of Delhi, Lord Canning has no uneasiness for the rest. The Governor General wishes the Commander in Chief had a good Civilian with him. Lawrence's Despatch of the 13th has been received, his disposition of the Native Infantry Regiments is most judicious.

32. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 29 Jun 1857. Lord Canning informs Sir John Lawrence that the latest official letter received from Sir John is of the 8th, but there are some missing. Copies of messages and letters are sent (not annexed). The Agra Government has completely failed to obtain or transmit information either way, so Lord Canning is not surprised to hear that no message but a stray one picked up on the road had reached Lawrence up to the 5th. The mismanagement or neglect has been shameful. News from north of Agra has been coming in most quickly via Bombay and Madras. The telegraph has for long been useless beyond Benares though it has now been re-established up to Allahabad. At Allahabad a column has been collected, and will march on 30 Jun upon Cawnpore, and Canning hopes it will be in time to relieve Wheeler who is short of guns and provisions. Sir Henry Lawrence has managed to send two letters out; he is in good heart, confident of being able to hold Lucknow for at least a month. All the outstations in Oudh are gone and the mutineers marching upon Lucknow. Lord Canning believes they will make no impression, as long as Sir Henry's health holds. Canning's first impulse upon General Anson's death was to put Sir Henry Lawrence in his place but he was then unwell, and far from Headquarters and at Lucknow everything would have gone to ruins without him. Canning now wishes more than ever that it had been possible to place him in command the appointment of Barnard has led to no saving of time, it is horrible to think of all that time has cost, and all that still trembles in the balance. European soldiers are still arriving from Pegu, and from the China force, and after that there is nothing to be reckoned upon until the 2nd instalment of the China Expedition. 24 regiments have been asked for from England, and money; England has no choice but to agree if India is to be kept. Lord Canning is glad to hear that the Sikhs have behaved well in the Punjab. They have behaved well also in the Lower Provinces, except at Benares, where they were mismanaged and almost driven to join the sepoys. The Governor General is trying to form a Cavalry Corps from Rattray's Sikh Police Battalion as a last resource, as the lack of trustworthy cavalry is crippling . There is also a great shortage of horses for the Artillery. Lord Canning asks Lawrence to think twice before discharging any large number of discontented sepoys, as discharged men on their way home have been stirring up trouble among the regiments they meet. Replies to Lawrence's letter of the 8th that Brigadier Innes shall be removed.

33. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 15 Jul 1857. Lord Canning expresses his great sorrow on hearing of the death of Sir Henry Lawrence. Though Lord Canning only met Sir Henry during the short time Lawrence was in Calcutta, Canning feels as if he had lost a dear friend. The Governor General sincerely believes that there is not a man in India who could have been less well spared at the present moment. News of Sir Henry's death came by telegraphic message from Allahabad, but no particulars are known.

33a. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 15 Jul 1857. Lord Canning expects that the outbreak at Indore will have interrupted the Dawk as well as the telegraph to Bombay. He sends the present letter by steamer to Madras, and will ask Lord Harris to telegraph to Lord Elphinstone the reply to Lawrence's question, which will be 'Hold on to Peshawur to the last'. Lord Canning believes the effect of abandoning Peshawur would have alarming consequences in Southern India. It is important that faith in the permanency of British rule should not be shaken. Central India is already lost, and Southern India is in a more critical position than any part of the Punjab. The Madras Army seems fairly reliable, but the regiments could not cope if the Deccan were to rise. In the Bombay Army there is already some taint, and Lord Canning would not like to see them tempted by any open resistance near to them. Some troops from Pegu and the China Force are still to arrive. Lord Canning begins to despair of hearing any good from Delhi, the arrival of Chamberlain and Nicholson is the best hope. Havelock's column should be at Cawnpore in two days. His force is small, but Lucknow must be relieved. without delay. Agra itself may be threatened already. Neill has been made Brigadier General and placed 2nd in command to Havelock. He has shown energy and skill, unlike the Colonels of the 78th Highlanders and the 64th Queens. Canning will support the appointments of Chamberlain and Nicholson, he was very pleased with the selection of them by General Reed. Lord Canning will support Lawrence to the utmost, he has great confidence in his judgement, and Lawrence has authority to deal with rewards, promotions and punishments. In matters of grave importance Lawrence will of course do his best to communicate with Canning in good time. The reinforcements from the Punjab for Delhi are excellent. The Puttiala and Jheend Rajahs shall be thanked at once. Lord Canning objected to the abandonment of Peshawur because of the bad effect it would have at present. But he also believes the mountain boundary to be preferable to the river boundary, though the expense is great. Lawrence spoke of the Afreedees having offered their services; asks if anything can be made of them.

34. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 19 Feb 1858. Lord Canning congratulates Sir John Lawrence on his GCB and sends two letters from the Heralds' College (not annexed). Canning will invest Lawrence with the 1st Class of the order when there is an opportunity for the two men to meet, at Allahabad or elsewhere in the North West Provinces.

35. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 19 Apr 1858. Lord Canning states that since Lawrence's objection, he has steadily refused to sanction any enlistments being made from the Punjab without Lawrence's knowledge, and in the case of the Kupoorthulla men he would not have given permission if he had not thought it very unlikely that Lawrence and Montgomery would disagree. He apologises for taking the matter for granted, it was important to bring a force into Oudh quickly, as the Gurkhas had been withdrawn sooner than expected. The Governor General is unwilling to add any more Sikhs to those already employed, as the Sikhs take pains to show that they know their own importance. The Kupoorthulla contingent is needed to form a Police force and the Infantry which came with Colonel Abbott will have to be raised to a full Police Battalion. Asks for the proceedings in connection with the Bullubgurh Rajah, and asks what has been done with his territory.

36. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 6 Sep 1858. Lord Canning was not surprised to learn that Lawrence wished to go to England in 1859, though he regrets the necessity. He knows Lawrence would not think of going unless compelled to do so. Discusses Lawrence's replacement. Montgomery will be difficult to spare from Oudh in Jan 1859, and may later be appointed Provisional Member of Council. Mr Edmonstone is also not available. Would Mr Frere do, or Colonel Edwardes? Canning hopes to reply to Lawrence's letter about Lord Granville's speech shortly. Private.

37. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 21 Sep 1858. Lord Canning writes that upon Mr Colvin's death to have offered to appoint anyone but Lawrence as Lieutenant Governor of the North West Provinces would have been impossible in justice and common sense, and for some months it was Canning's intention to offer the post to Lawrence as soon as it would be safe for him to leave the Punjab. Canning now learns from Lawrence's friends that he would prefer to remain in the Punjab, on equal terms. The question of raising the Punjab and Sind together to a Lieutenant Governorship was left undecided by the Court when the Mutinies broke out. Lord Canning believes that the junction of the two Provinces would be inadvisable, but will make the Punjab alone a Lieutenant Governorship, with Delhi added to it, and trust to the ratification of the measure at home. This need not affect the arrangements made for the Government of the Punjab whilst Lawrence is in England, as Lawrence will become Lieutenant Governor and his substitute a Chief Commissioner. Asks if there are any practical difficulties. Lord Canning learnt from Lawrence's letter to Edmonstone that the raising of the Punjab to a Lieutenant Governorship would be likely to influence Lawrence's return to India; this is why Canning has written.

38. Copy letter to Sir J Lawrence, 22 Sep 1858. Lord Canning has just seen Lawrence's letter to Bowring. He begs Lawrence to lose no time in appointing a Private Secretary, and in adding any other office to his Staff which will make his work less severe. Canning cannot promise to transform the whole machinery of the Government of the Punjab into the machinery of a Lieutenant Governorship, but he would do so if necessary to give relief to Lawrence.