Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/36

Regrets the delay in preparing the Expedition, part of the trouble is the Dewallee holidays. Elphinstone is glad that Sir Henry Leeke will take command, Ethersey cannot feel jealous that he is superseded. The Accountant General's letter from which the estimate of the expenses of the Expedition was taken, has been sent to the Government of India. The 52 lacs includes the pay of the troops, which they would have received anyway. The transports were not taken up a day too soon. Elphinstone will ensure that some of the small steamers that can be sent up the Karoon are armed. The only difficult part of the river is at Ahwaz, where there are rapids, but Captain Selby managed to take his vessel beyond them. Believes the letter to Captain Jones must have been sent to Captain Kemball, as explained in the letter of 17 Sep. Is glad Canning approves of the hospital framework being sent. Elphinstone trusts that there will be no mistake about the arms and money for Dost Mahomed. Colonel Jacob has sent a strong detachment of the Sind Horse with them to Dadur, where they will be safe until the Amir sends an escort to meet them. Lieutenant Ballard is still at Bombay waiting for orders. Major North, another Engineer, with some experience of Kandahar and Herat, has been sent out by the Court. If these two officers are not required in the Foreign Department they would be useful in the Public Works Department.