Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/48

Sends various letters to Lord Canning. Letters from Bushire report that the 'Hugh Lindsay' arrived at Bushire on 3 Nov and the Resident struck his flag and went aboard. One of the Resident's servants states that as soon as he left the shore, the Persians began pulling down the Residency. It is said that six more Persian Regiments were on their way to Bushire. Steamers and ships had been seen at Bunder Abbas. Elphinstone has written to Murray and told him that General Stalker would exercise the whole authority, civil, military and political. Stalker was instructed not to accept any offers of service from Persian subjects which would entail an obligation to protect them against their own Government. Murray has been told of these instructions, and Elphinstone hopes this will prevent his going to Bushire, where he might be an embarrassment. Names the reserves in hand. If these troops have to be sent, Elphinstone thinks there may be some difficulty in carrying on the ordinary military duties at the stations from which they are taken, and Madras may have to be asked for help.

Enclosed: 1. Letter from Major Taylor to Dr Peele, Baghdad, 29 Oct, reporting stories of a bloody battle at Herat. The besieged seem to have shown desperate courage in the face of treachery in the town. The Afghans are said to be starving. Taylor laments the waste of courage, for the Heratees must surrender before aid can reach them from India. Kabul is said to be in a state of near-rebellion. Persia needs drastic punishment. Possibly Kandahar, now masterless, will have to be annexed. The news of the arrival at Bushire of the 'Feroze' and the Commissariat and Quarter Master General officers has created the utmost consternation in Teheran. The Shah has ordered the priesthood to proclaim a crusade, and he expects to raise not only his own subjects, but the entire Mahommedan population of India.

2. Letter from the Honourable C A Murray to Lord Elphinstone, Baghdad, 29 Oct, dictated to Major Taylor, as Murray has boils. Murray has written to the British Government that he intends as soon as operations take place, to proceed with the whole or part of his Mission to the nearest British operational base. He wishes to know as soon as possible the plan of campaign. If Shuster is occupied, this will be the most central point from which Murray could communicate easily with England and India, as well as with Ispahan and other parts of the interior. If the whole attack is to be concentrated on Bushire, Murray would make his Headquarters there. If the British troops behave well, they will not be troubled by the population of the South of Persia. Presupposing a successful result of operations, Murray has sent home a draft Peace Treaty. Murray wishes to know what instructions the Commander of the Expedition has been given to deal with Persian requests for a cease-fire, or a peace. Murray is anxious to know if the Commander will be instructed to confer with Murray before accepting such proposals. Reports supplies of wheat and flour, and a considerable amount of money. The Government must take care that coal and ammunition do not run short. Murray asks for this letter or a copy of it, to be sent to Lord Canning, and asks that the Governor General be told that however much Murray regrets the expenditure of Indian resources on war, nevertheless he is glad to know that the perverse obstinacy of the Persian Government is being punished.