I was writing the last sentence of a long Report on Oude affairs when your note came in.  There are some parts that will amuse, some that will interest, and the whole gives, I believe, a fair exposition of the evils, with a suggestion for the best remedy that I can think of.  It is the formation of a Board, consisting of a President and two members nominated by the King, subject to the confirmation of the Governor-General, and not to be dismissed without his Lordship’s previous sanction.  This Board to make the settlement of the revenue proposed when Lord Hardinge was here, and to have the carrying it out.

This Board will be a substitute for the Regency, but not so good.  The King is well in body; and, unless he will abdicate, we cannot get the minority for the Regency.  I think, upon the whole, the Governor-General will think the Report worth reading, and the remedy worth considering.  It will bring little additional trouble on Government, but a good deal on the Resident, who will require to have had much administrative experience.

Things are coming fast to the crisis, in which I must be called upon to advise and act, a thing which the fiddlers and eunuchs dread.  I can’t trust the Report in the office, and the hand may not be so legible as I could wish.

The Court is very averse to the appointment of a successor to Wilcox; and it is with reluctance they have kept on the native officers who go on with the work.  I told them either to keep them on or to pension them.  I don’t think a successor should be urged upon them in the present state of beggary to which they are reduced.  Nobody sees any use in it, while there are a vast number of useful things neglected for want of funds; as to the instruments, the Court care nothing about them, knowing nothing of their value; and would, no doubt, be glad to give them to any establishment requiring them.

The minister, singers, and eunuchs are all now sworn to be united; but this cannot last many days.  The “pressure from without,” in the clamour for pay, will soon upset the minister; but they will find it difficult to get another to undertake the burthen of forty or fifty lacs of balance, and a score of fiddlers and eunuchs as privy councillors.  Something must be done to unthrone these wretches, or things will be worse and worse.  The best remedy that occurs to me is to interpose an authority which they dare not question, and the King cannot stultify; and if the King objects, to tell him that he must abdicate in favour of his son.  This, of all courses, will be the best, and give no trouble; things would go on like “marriage bells,” without any trouble whatever to the Governor-General and your secretariat.

I am glad that the Punjaub Board goes on well.  It is a scene of great importance and interest.  The only way to get the confidence and affection of men is to show that we confide in them; and I don’t think we need fear Seik soldiers while we treat them, and govern the country well.