Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/22

Writes that the orders received by the last mail appear to deal only with the occupation of Karrack and Bushire, and therefore it seems unnecessary to write further to the Resident at Bushire and the Political Agent at Baghdad. A steamer would have to be hired especially to carry the letters. If Ballard and Green are to be sent to the Gulf, they might carry messages with them. Mr Vernon Smith, in a private letter to Elphinstone, mentioned the possibility of action against Shiraz, if the occupation of Bushire proved ineffective. If the move against Shiraz is really to be prepared for, Commissariat Agents and Remount Officers should be sent off at once. Sends extract of a letter from Colonel Rawlinson, and discusses various routes in Persia. All preparations for the Expedition are being made, except the hiring of transports, which can be done in a few days. To hire the boats prematurely would be expensive, and would prevent the preparations remaining secret. Elphinstone is going to Poona to see the Commander in Chief and believes the Commander in Chief may come to Bombay which will be convenient if troops are to be embarked. Private.

Enclosed: Extract from Colonel Rawlinson's letter of 26 Jul 1856, confidentially communicated to Canning. Rawlinson hears that the occupation of Karrack and Bushire is contemplated. He believes that half measures would be worse than useless. The British were not very successful in Asia in the Crimean War, and the Persians are beginning to despise the British and attribute British inactivity to weakness. Believes the time has come to redeem the British reputation in Persia. The idea of sending 20,000 men to Persia and preparing for a march on Teheran will frighten the people at home into fits, yet Rawlinson cannot see anything alarming in such a measure. At present the British seem to believe that Herat will not fall after all, but Rawlinson does not see how the City can resist long. Murray maintains that the Sedr merely sent troops east to gain the credit for afterwards withdrawing them, but this seems too subtle. If ever it should come to an invasion and march on Teheran, there should be two columns, based on Bushire and Baghdad. Routes discussed. The mountain tribes would be friendly to any invader. Carriage and supplies would need much preparation. Charles Murray complains of the Persian negotiations having been transferred to Lord Stratford, and thinks himself unfairly treated; but however necessary it might have been to pull up the Persian Government in its career of unfriendliness, Murray chose the cause of the quarre1 badly, and it would have been almost impossible to support him in such a position. Should Murray now resign, it seems likely that Sir Hugh Rose would be appointed to succeed him.