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Informs Lord Canning that he will receive by the present mail a communication from the Secret Committee asking the Government of India to organize at Bombay a force for the Persian Gulf, its despatch depending upon the Persian Army continuing before Herat. He has informed the President of the Board of Control of his views, that it is politically necessary to make Herat independent of Persia and the Dost, but unwise to make any military movement in Afghanistan for this purpose; he suggested that Lord Stratford be requested to inform the Shah that unless his army was instantly withdrawn from Herat, war would be declared. As auxiliary to this measure, it was thought desirable to send some British officers to assist the Heratees, Messrs Ballard and Green have been directed to await orders at Bombay. Colonel Lake would have been most useful, but his health is bad. The writer was opposed to sending officers to Herat, as before their arrival, the Persians would either have retired, or taken the place. Should the menace of war not frighten the Persians, a force must be sent from Bombay to take Bushire and probably Shiraz. The present condition of the Persian Army is poor. Colonel Sykes has told the President of the Board that he would not hesitate to undertake to overrun Persia with 6,000 men. There is bad ground between Bushire and Shiraz. The only difficulty as regards an expedition, will be to find a proper commander. Is afraid that the Persian Gulf is incapable of supplying commissariat stores.

Confidential. Received 30 Aug.