Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/3/13

Remarks that as General Low is about to return to India it is unnecessary to make provision for the winding up of Mr Ricketts' labours. Comments on Ricketts' salary proposals. He thinks there should always be a military Member in the Council besides the Commander in Chief. Agrees with the Governor General's view about enlistment into the Bengal Army for general service. General Grant writes that the men of the Madras Army are beginning to express dislike for service in Pegu. It is very desirable that native troops of India be employed in as limited numbers as possible in Pegu. Cadets are being collected as fast as possible. The draft on the Police has just been received back from the Board, but as most of the Directors are in the country, it might not be possible to get the draft ready for the present mail. Sykes is sorry to see that the Oudh officers, Jackson and Gubbins, are quarrelling, they are both bad-tempered but able men. There is no definite news about Persia, but a telegraphic message from Constantinople reports that the Persian Ambassador is on his way to Paris with full powers to arrange all matters. Sykes does not believe that Persia will risk war with the British. Colonel Jacob's report about the invasion of Herat by the Persians must be a mare's nest; his Quetta scheme is quite impracticable, and shows what a dangerous politician he is. A Despatch will shortly go out about the establishment in each Presidency of a depot for the Enfield rifle. Hopes to be able to send out two or three gun-boats for use in the Persian Gulf. Drafts of Secret Despatches have just been received from the Board directing the Expedition to sail from Bombay immediately, and to take Karrak and Bushire, operations against Shiraz being left for future consideration.

Received 31 Oct.