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He is greatly alarmed at the news of the blunder which has occasioned the mutinous conduct of the sepoys; an event like this is just the spark to cause the catastrophe feared by Lord Metcalfe. The natives are much agitated by such proceedings as the abolition of suttee and the remarriage of Hindu widows, these measures being too precipitate. Only education can remove superstition from men's minds. Agrees it was necessary to disband the 19th Native Infantry. Hopes that the actual use of the cartridge was limited to a few depots, and that the hostile feeling will therefore not be extensive. In Madras and Bombay where the sepoys owe their promotion to their Commanding Officers, the native officers would have been useful auxiliaries to their European officers, but in Bengal where the seniority system prevails, the native officers know they owe nothing to their European officers, and do not feel any gratitude. This system has one other evil, that the Bengal native officers are mainly of advanced age and quite unfit for activity and zeal. Discusses the projected gold coinage, with reference to Canning's doubts. Reports progress in the Madras pier scheme. The Court has not yet succeeded in finding a suitable Comptroller for the Bombay Dockyard. Was not aware when appointing Captain Wellesley that he is the nephew of the Duke. The Medical Reform Despatch has passed. Dreads to think of the outcry there will be in England if the Import duties are raised; it would be better to borrow money at 6%.