Mss Eur F213/27, p211

Acknowledges Dalhousie's letters of 18, 25 and 30 July; is gratified at Dalhousie's remarks regarding honours; repeats assurances of his wish 'to support and gratify you in every possible way'; fears little can be done for Bowie; Durand; question of Sikh regiments not understood at home because of promises held out by the Lawrences; understands reasons for Dalhousie's establishment of Punjab Board – objection at home regarding numbers referred not to the Board but to more junior members of Punjab service; approves Dalhousie's view of conduct of a Governor-General towards a C-in-C; [cancelled passage on Delhi succession question: Directors differ from Dalhousie but Hobhouse agrees with him; explains at length power of President of Board over Court of Directors and their Secret Committee both of which 'are but formalities', and ease with which Govt with a parliamentary majority can override any attempt at resistance]; Directors are inclined to differ from Dalhousie on Delhi question but Hobhouse will see to it that Dalhousie gets his way.

4 October. Dalhousie's letters of 20 and 21 August have just arrived; agrees with Dalhousie regarding Ellenborough; Punjab medal – explains no reproof of Dalhousie was intended by Secret Committee despatch and reiterates his explanation of difficulty caused by Queen's view on question; had already heard rumour of Napier's intention to return in March; Bowie, Ventura; Bethune; alarm in England regarding Sher Sing has subsided; Dalhousie can send Duleep Singh wherever he pleases regardless of any remonstrances.

6 October. Has now read Dalhousie's letter to Secret Committee regarding Punjab medal and is 'truly vexed' that Dalhousie should have been so annoyed by it; again explains problem caused by the Queen's view and how grant of medal without previously consulting home authorities places him in invidious position in regard to her; believes assurances of support received by Dalhousie on all important matters will enable him to bear 'one short paragraph'; will try to persuade Queen when he next sees her privately; Sikh regiments and Lawrences; has appointed Rev Thomas Dealtry (Archdeacon of Calcutta) as next Bishop of Madras; Governors of Madras and Bombay report favourably on their Presidencies; hopes warlike doings at Constantinople will end well.