Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/4/12

Agrees with Lord Canning that the Legislative Council in India should carry into effect the recommendations of the Law Commission, and no Parliamentary legislation would then be necessary. Lord Canning's complaint of delay in the other two Presidencies is counterbalanced by complaints from Madras of delay by the Governor General. The exchange has been raised, and bills drawn on India stopped temporarily. Canning need not worry about poaching on the preserves of the Court; they are very unpopular and require much vigilance and some violence to keep them in order. They made a mess of the Nuwab of Surat's Bill, no doubt similar petitions will follow. Asks if Lord Canning had considered a change in the seat of Government. Suggests offering the vacancy at Madras on the Bench to Ritchie. Comments on home politics. Remarks at length on the instructions from the Secret Committee about war with Persia. Thinks Lord Canning will be pleased with the additions to the Civil Service. Sir George Clerk is very much against adding to the officers of the native regiments because if numerous enough, they dissociate themselves from the natives, and lose that control over them which used to be engendered by kindness. Vernon Smith is sorry Jacob refused to entertain proposals from Herat. Received 13 Aug

Enclosed: Copy of a letter from Vernon Smith to the Secret Committee about sending Company's officers to Afghanistan, in connection with Herat, 3 Jul 1856.