Mss Eur F90/26, no.58

Gives brief answers to points in Lawrence's letters since 5 October:

• Ref. 5 Oct: hears landowners have appealed against decision in rent case so legislation must wait; Bhutan; despatch sent on barracks; agrees to bring away British regiment; period of service of Legislative Council members; Mysore family [descendants of Tipu Sultan] – Wood wants to be rid of them; despatch sent on irrigation; effect of loose talk about borrowing; adverse comments on Richard Strachey; Wood must be assured by plans and estimates that loan will be well spent before he will commit himself to borrowing; points out that interest on loan will become perpetual and irreducible charge on revenue; agrees Govt rather than private enterprise should undertake irrigation works.
• Ref. 12 Oct: Will ask about medical man for Lawrence Asylum – had forgotten about it.
• Ref. 19 Oct: Scindia cannot be allowed to dispense with British troops, increase his army, or recover his fort; policy on his wish to adopt; Princes evidently require some reassurance on their right to adopt.
• Ref. 14 Nov: Scindia cannot have more – Lawrence must smooth him down; hopes to convert Cavenagh into Colonial Governor, in meantime title of Excellency must wait; is against any land operations at Muscat; would like to leave all Red Sea business, and Turks and Afghans to F.O.; is 'for meddling as little beyond Indian limits as possible'; Aden should be westernmost point and would like to be rid of Zanzibar; does not like any of contract clauses he has so far seen.