Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/18

Answers Canning's most private note of 26 Jul. Elphinstone has no means of judging what Sir Henry Somerset's wishes may be, beyond a general impression that he would be glad to see service in any quarter, and would go with good will. He is a gallant soldier with much experience of bush fighting at the Cape, which is useful experience for Persia. Unless some Russian General were sent with the Persian Army, Somerset would probably not meet with any very formidable opponent. Somerset is not however, the man that Elphinstone would select for any very arduous undertaking. It is doubtful whether he is capable of commanding a large army in an almost unexplored and most difficult country. Elphinstone knows little of General Stalker, has only met him two or three times, and he is very shy and retiring, and does not appear to advantage in society. He is well thought of in Bombay but seems not equal to the command of a large expedition. For a trustworthy opinion of his qualifications, and upon those of other officers of the Bombay Army, Elphinstone refers Canning to Colonel Havelock, Adjutant General of the Queen's troops, who knows the Bombay Army thoroughly. Elphinstone would have consulted Havelock himself rather than anyone else. Elphinstone fears that at the top of the tree there is little more than dead wood. Most private.