Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/13/34

Harris hopes to hear as quickly as possible if he should still send the 'Simoon' on to Mauritius. The native Cavalry have been making so many difficulties that he thinks it may be necessary to send only the horses. As the 'Simoon' can only carry 30 horses she will not be used for that purpose, but will carry the Company of Sappers, or be kept at Madras for the Mohurrum. Asks if troops are still to come from Mauritius. The 33rd and the 4th are both at Bombay. It was annoying about Mr Ritchie, an express was sent off within an hour of Harris' reading the solicitors' letter, but nothing will stir these people out of their lethargic routine. If Harris hears of any troops coming by Suez he will send the 'Simoon'. Understands that the 'Himalaya' has gone to Mauritius. The trouble with the Cavalry has made Harris more anxious about Arcot and Vellore. Harris hardly expected to hear of the fall of Delhi, the odds are so great. Fears that Havelock also may find the odds too great. Does not know that the Cavalry are positively disloyal, but they see a good opportunity of getting back their old rates of pay and pensions which were reduced most imprudently some years before. The Government has already asked to restore the old rates, but of course if it were done now, it would look like giving way. Harris supposes that the Mutiny was certain to come sooner or later. Hopes Elgin will call at Madras.