Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/27

Announces the arrival of the 'Ajdaha' at Bombay. The 'Assaye' reached Bushire on 25 Aug. Sends a letter from Charles Murray and one from Captain Jones, the latter appears not to have received Elphinstone's or Canning's letters. Captain Kemball thinks the Persians would be glad of an excuse for withdrawing from Herat, which they seem unable to capture; recommends the capture of Karrack. Colonel Hancock, Adjutant General of the Bombay Army, has resigned at this inconvenient moment because of his health. Elphinstone has received a telegraph from Mr Anderson, who says in reply he has received 43 letters from Captain Jones, but Jones seems not to have received the letter sent by 'Assaye'. Elphinstone will do nothing about the command until he receives Cannings letter.

Enclosed: Letter from Captain Jones to Lord Elphinstone, Bushire, 27 Aug, complaining that the order for the three steam vessels to return to the Presidency without delay is embarrassing, particularly as Jones is completely in the dark about the dispute with Persia. It has been necessary to move the treasure and the tents of the establishment to Bassidore, where Commodore Ethersey must guard them. If Jones receives orders to quit the country, he now has no means of doing so, and cannot provide asylum for any British subjects, as Ethersey has the 'Falkland' and 'Constance' fully employed at the south end of the Gulf. Hopes that the vessels have been withdrawn because peace has been reached with Persia. He has received no news for 7 weeks.