Mss Eur F213/23, p147

Refers to Hobhouse's letter of 24 June, and his own of 10 July; reviews developments since then and criticises at great length Currie's order (which Indian Govt felt they must confirm) to move British troops to Multan despite all his and the C-in-C's earlier statements that such movement was impracticable at this season of the year; 'impracticable' in this context did not mean absolutely impossible, but that the loss of European lives would be frightful; Currie's complaints regarding Govt's criticisms of him, and his tendency to be overweening – Dalhousie will if necessary make it clear that 'there can be only one master in all India' and that while Dalhousie is in India that will be 'the Governor General in Council' [Dalhousie's emphasis]; he has said the same to the Chairman.

8 August: defends possible inadequacies in commissariat arrangements on grounds that force was not expected to march till 1 November; whether or not Mulraj premeditated rebellion, he is a rebel in his acts: 'If I do catch him he hangs; and if he had fifty necks he would hang by every one of them'; Sikh chiefs favour peace with British but unable to control their army which is unanimously for war; praises conduct of Edwardes whose despatches are always worth reading, and who will deserve reward; the policy of Edwardes's proceedings is Currie's responsibility.