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Explains the position at Gujarat, as he fears that Sir Richmond Shakespear's offer of the services of the Baroda Brigade may lead Canning to suppose the position worse than it actually is. On 15 May a very serious riot took place at Broach, trouble having arisen between the Mussulmen and the Parsees because a Parsee had defiled a mosque. Both this Parsee and the High Priest of the Parsees were killed by the mob. The Magistrate with some Native Infantry quelled the riot, and arrested some of the rioters, and then sent to Baroda to ask for further assistance, fearing an attack on the Jail. Sir Richmond Shakespear at once sent the wing of a Native Regiment and two guns. It was feared that disturbances between Mussulmen might spread to Surat, so the wing of a Native Regiment and 150 of the 86th were sent there. Some troops have been moved to Deesa, to replace those sent to Ajmere on Colonel Lawrence's requisition. General Roberts; one of the best officers in the service, has been placed in temporary command of the Division. Had Roberts been in India in the autumn, he would certainly have been recommended for the command of the Persian Expedition. The only thing that gives Elphinstone any uneasiness is the inaction at Umballa. While the Commander in Chief halts, rebellion marches. The only redeeming feature of the events at Meerut and Delhi was the action of Lieutenant Willoughby. Elphinstone wrote to Brigadier Coghlan asking for the wing of the 86th now at Aden if they could be spared. There are very few European troops in the Presidency, in Bombay itself only 250 men of the 86th and 52 Artillerymen. Elphinstone hopes to be able to send Canning's orders to Outram and Jacob in a few days, and will ask for any troops that can be spared. Unfortunately Elphinstone did not receive Canning's message countermanding the ships for Ceylon, for he might have sent the 'Semiramis' to Bushire. Sends a copy of a letter from Mr Frere, and agrees that Jacob is the man to command the Moveable Column which may be formed in Sind. All was well at Mooltan on 23 May, there was a report of the murder of the Maharana of Joudhpore by Sirdar Bisher[?] Singh who was raising troops to attack Jeysulmeer. Remarks on the great advantage which a telegraph with Sind would afford at present. It would place Bombay in rapid communication with Gujarat and Sind, and would prevent the telegraph between Punjab and Calcutta from being cut off.

Enclosed: Copy of a letter from Henry Bartle E Frere, Commissioner of Sind, to Lord Elphinstone, Kurrachee, 27 May; Frere is reluctant to trouble Elphinstone at present, but fears that unless some more energetic officer than General Scott is sent up, very little will be done towards forwarding relief to the Punjab. He is an agreeable and courteous man, but his actions are paralyzed by doubts and fears. Suggests that General Jacob command the Force which will have to be sent up the Indus eventually if he is not available, there is General Roberts, considered by Sir Charles Napier the best man in India for military operations on a large scale. Either man could be placed in command of a Field Force, leaving Scott to carry on the ordinary work of his Division. Sends extracts of letters [not enclosed], the upcountry merchants generally feel insecure. Confidential.