Mss Eur F126/82, ff 6-9

Letter, marked private and confidential, dated 18 January 1875, informing Pelly that Frank Henry Souter (Commissioner of Police at Bombay) was en route and was bringing official letters with him.

The letter goes on to report that the law officers had concluded that the Gaekwar (Malharrao, Gaekwar of Baroda) could not be deposed based solely on the evidence obtained by Souter without first being offered the opportunity of explanation and defence, and that he could not be charged with maladministration, as he was not the only one responsible for the administration of his state, without being given time to implement reforms as he had shown a willingness to do so.

The letter also notes that the political considerations will only come into play once the Gaekwar has either defended himself, or declined to do so, and all the evidence presented before a commission and thoroughly considered.

The letter concludes by requesting that Pelly's report on affairs be separated into two parts so that the question of succession in the state and the restoration of a native administration can be considered separately from the present issues.

The letter also contains blue pencil crayon annotations by Aitchison which inform Pelly of when letters and packets referred to in the letter will be sent to him.

On the verso of folio nine is a note from Lewis Pelly, dated 19 January, recording that he had replied to the letter.