Mss Eur F213/25, p53

Refers to Hobhouse's letter of 25 March; strongly criticises Council's and military authorities' handling of Sikkim affair; Napier's eccentricity; rumour that he may resign because of Dalhousie's rebuke concerning his alteration of allowances to Punjab troops [see Dalhousie's letter of 23 April]; justifies his handling of Napier; Napier's talk that he would seize Kabul but for being prevented from doing so by Dalhousie; Napier says he is well but looks dreadfully ill; asks for orders regarding Satara pensions which he thinks cannot be paid until they resign all pretensions; Afridis have submitted; splendid harvest in Punjab; has invited John Lawrence to Punjab to discuss many things; has urged Lord Falkland not to apply for Bengal Civilian to take over Govt of Sind because of slur this would cast on Bombay service; brief comments on (Sir) J Willoughby, D A Blane, and (Sir) H B Frere of that service; is sending despatch on everything done concerning Koh-i-noor; claims of Col Mackeson and Capt Ramsay for reward; has not been quite well following journey; annoying newspaper reports regarding his intestines.

P.S. 16 May. Court of Directors must not be allowed to present Koh-i-noor to Queen as it is hers already – surrendered to her not to them; Napier has issued General Order regarding conduct of Courts Martial which Col (later Sir R) Birch, Judge Advocate General, says are contrary to all previous law and will make right administration of military law impossible, and if Napier persists very difficult situation could be created.

[Letter to the Queen follows]