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Has received Canning's letter and Minute on the lack of boats for landing troops and baggage at Bushire. The Admiral has already been asked for an explanation. Comments. Elphinstone fears that the skeleton hospital has not been landed. Stalker seems to have shown want of energy and forcefulness. Outram has been advised to use the soldiers and even the Sepoys, if the Persians cannot be got to work. Elphinstone thinks that Captain Jones may be to blame, for the lack of landing boats and labour; agrees with Canning that Jones' agreement with the Arab Chiefs was a most unfortunate move, unfortunately it has been signed by most of the Chiefs. Some unofficial inquiries have been made about the non-appearance of the gun-boats in the Creek; and it appears that not much harm was done; the story about the Artillery Train having been carried off across the Creek is quite untrue. States Sir Henry Leeke's explanation for not sending in the gun-boats. The Chairman has sent Elphinstone copies of old orders about Leeke's command, Elphinstone does not think these are conclusive. Canning's telegraphic message [marked in margin S. No. 72] has been forwarded to Vernon Smith. Outram's letter has also been forwarded. Elphinstone pointed out to the President that if the Turks are to be the British auxiliaries in the war, it might be well to let them garrison Mohummerah from May to Nov; if the neutrality of Turkey is no longer to be insisted upon, it might be better to advance on Kermanshah by Baghdad. In sending on Canning's telegram, Elphinstone wrote that the strongest objection raised by the Governor General to Outram's proposal of inviting the co-operation of Turkey, was the increased probability of interference of other powers. This danger might be avoided if Turkey merely allowed the passage of troops through her territory. Elphinstone has telegraphed about the reinforcements being sent to the Gulf [marked R. No. 65]. They are being delayed by shortage of transports.