Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/13/6

Thanks Canning for sending the information on the financial prospects. It is satisfactory to know that something will be done, although it is so little. The people at home never face the realities of the position, they want the administration to be carried on with English minuteness and precision, calling at the same time for reduction in expenditure. A third of the work in the Districts is done by volunteers, who do it in the hopes of ultimately getting appointments. Unless methods of procedure are simplified, which they might be, the establishments will need further increase. The revenue of Government is no doubt rather precarious, but thinks an optimistic view may be taken of it, seeing how, whenever a chance is given, the country appears to improve. Supposing the principle of borrowing for public works were established, there must always be a difficulty and some amount of chance in the selection of those which are likely to pay best and earliest. But a large number would pay in a very short time. The remark that revenue must exceed expenditure in time of peace is one of those truisms which everyone will allow in the abstract; and which do very well to get House of Commons' cheers. But the circumstances of England and India can hardly be compared. In India the English Government is always at war, if not with military enemies then with the vices, the apathy, the indifference and the lack of confidence between the two races. Expenditure can be reduced, but not without doing harm, and possibly causing more expenditure in the long run. Comments on the terms and arrangements for the Loan. For the last Loan the amount to be realised was divided between the several Governments. This caused great dissatisfaction in Madras, it would be better to open the Loan at certain places, and close it when the amount was realised. Many people at Madras think that what they call an open Loan would be the best kind, but he supposes that this would be larger that the authorities contemplate at present. Harris again thanks Canning for sending the information, which gives him an interest in the general transactions of the Empire, which is impossible to keep up without information. Harris has been very depressed, and cross at things going wrong with the Government of India. He refers especially to the cheap Railway, and the proposal about the roads. He had no intention of passing by the Government of India. Particularly objects to the accusation that Madras intended to apportion an equal amount for repairs to every mile of road, Harris has had 10 years experience of roads in the tropics. Harris has no feeling about Jeypore, but thinks Canning will find it is best managed from Vizagapatam. The old Begum of Arcot is dead, and her pension of 12,000 Rupees a month comes to the Government; but probably it will be found that there are many people who were dependent on her who must be supported. Harris has had a difference with his colleagues about the appointment of the Government Pleader to the Arcot Commission. Mr Norton is now to act for the Tanjore people, to prove an adoption. Harris does not know what the Madras Government will do for a lawyer, the Advocate General is on home leave, the Special Pleader is gone, of the other two barristers one is in jail and the other a drunkard who has ruined his nerves and powers. Supposes that Colonel Faber's reference to Colonel Baker will be settled by the official application made by the Madras Government A Civilian has been murdered at Bellary, no clue as to the murderers has yet been found. The short cessation of Public Works has enabled the Government to show the Engineers that they attempt more work than funds allow. Praises the Engineers. Will send a summary of Haig's proposals for the Godavery. Reports General Cubbon's disappointment at the honour conferred on him. Since beginning his letter Harris has spoken to Elliot about Jeypore. He considers that the country was always part of Vizagapatam. The two Districts of Vizagapatam and Ganjam [?] have been much neglected. Asks what is to be done about the capture of Burma, the supposition that the Madras Government are not inclined to occupy Burma with Madras troops is quite unfounded. There can be no question of the advantage of the arrangement in most respects, the Government only wished to point out the possibility of a difficulty hereafter. If Lord Hardinge had left the troops alone all would have been well, for they would go wherever they were ordered. But he insisted on the option being given to them. Recommends the Master in the Madras Courts for the Arcot Commission.