Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/6/37

Has replaced Lord Harris with Sir Charles Trevelyan at Madras. Hopes and believes Trevelyan will be found efficient, there is much that needs setting right in Madras. Shepherd's death has created a vacancy on the Council in England, and fears that Canning will be dissatisfied when, as seems likely, Durand is appointed. The Council is weak in military experience. Thinks the Commission will decide in favour of a considerable local Army, partly European, to be commanded as at present. Exchanges if possible should be allowed. It is not advisable to disturb the Madras and Bombay armies by large changes. The new Artillery is to be half of the line and half local. Parliament will probably be asked for £7,000,000 which will leave a margin of £1,500,000 over all probable demands. The events of the last six weeks in Europe will make this more difficult to raise than it would have been, but nevertheless war is not believed in. If Durand is not elected, Sir J Elphinstone may be. Private.