Mss Eur F126/89, ff 1-8

Letter regarding Pelly having not previously reported matters fully by letter owing to the numerous and detailed duties which had devolved on him and his assistant which had prevented him finding the time to produce a written report.

The letter discusses the manner in which Pelly approached his tasks in Baroda; his reasons for wishing to make his work and proceedings as public as possible; and a recent visit to the leading Bankers and Merchants of Baroda.

The letter continues with Pelly's thoughts on the nature of the measures which he had taken in respect of the general administration of the state including: the need to deal immediately with complaints and grievances from the nobility, military and agricultural classes; his opinions on the 'insanity of the Baroda financial budget', including the need for land revenue settlements and a reduction of the lavish expenditure of the past.

The letter also reports on the judicial matters he has handled, including those cases he was required to rule on; the proclamations previously issued by the Gaekwar (Malharrao) which he chose to re-issue in order to provide assurances to the people of Baroda that the reforms would happen; the appointment of a committee to look into complaints of tyranny; alleged attempts by individuals to take state valuables from the Gaekwar's palaces; ongoing work to recover state money hoarded and hidden by individuals formerly in the employ of the Gaekwar; the conduct of the military forces in Baroda; and his advice to the New Bank of Bombay to consult with Messrs Hearne Cleveland, the Government of India's Solicitors should they require legal advice.