Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/50

Reports the news of the capture of Bushire, brought by the 'Semiramis'. The operations appear to have been well done, and are well described in General Stalker's Despatch. Elphinstone has received some private letters of great interest, including one from Lord Dunkellin, which confirms Elphinstone's opinion of Stalker. Dunkellin's opinion of the Admiral is even less favourable. The loss of valuable officers at the taking of Bushire is much to be regretted. Elphinstone believes there will be no difficulty in obtaining transport for the reinforcements. Outram has to remain in Bombay for the next mail from England, which will bring his Commission as a Lieutenant General for a particular service. At present he is gazetted as a Lieutenant General in the East Indies, and Stalker, who is senior to him, might refuse to recognize his rank in Persia. The French frigate is going to the Gulf in 4 days, to receive some Assyrian marbles for the Louvre, and to show the French flag. The Captain refused to take on board the soi-disant Persian consul, who has gone ingloriously in a Commissariat store vessel. The French Captain has spent three years on the China station, and has a great deal of information about Japan, Korea and Mantchoo Tartary. The extensive advances of the Russians in those lands is generally little understood. They occupy the whole course of the Amoor and have fortified ports considerably to the south; on the 46th parallel there is a chain of lakes forming admirable harbours and docks, called Les Bassins de l'Empereur Nicholas. The neighbourhood supplies the finest timber for ship building, hemp grows naturally, and iron is found in abundance. These facts would not be insignificant even if the present state of Korea and of China were-less favourable to the views of an ambitious neighbour. Korea seems to be a country teeming with mineral resources. Coffee, iron, and gold are all found there in great abundance.

Enclosed: Copy of a letter from Captain Kemball to Lord Elphinstone, Bussorah, 1 Dec, reporting on his visit to the Lower Euphrates. He finds the defences built by the Persians to be absolutely contemptible, and all could easily be destroyed by the Indian Navy. The works are not completed in places, and the regular force, not apparently reinforced, does not exceed 1,000 men. Reports successful Commissariat arrangements. Forage is scarce. Rumours about Herat are still conflicting. Mr Murray was prevented by indisposition from leaving Baghdad with Kemball, so Kemball will return to Baghdad to take Murray by the Comet to Bussorah.