With great respect, I remain,
Your Lordship’s obedient humble servant,
(Signed) W. H. SLEEMAN.

To the Most Noble
the Marquis of Dalhousie, K.T.,
     &c. &c. &c.

P.S.—­I find that the King’s brother is altogether incompetent for anything like business or responsibility.  The minister has not one single quality that a minister ought to have; and the King cannot be considered to be in a sound state of mind.

(Signed) W. H. SLEEMAN.

Annexures.

1.  Extracts, pars. 9 to 14 of Lord Hardinge’s Memorial.
2.  Statement of British troops in Oude in Jan. 1835 and 1849.
3.  Table of the King of Oude’s troops of all kinds.

__________________________

Lucknow, 6th September, 1849.

My Lord,

I take the liberty to enclose, for your Lordship’s perusal, a more full and correct Table of the troops and police in Oude than that which I submitted with my last letter, as also a Table of all the other branches of expenditure—­save those of buildings, charities, presents, &c., which are ever varying.

It may be estimated that two-thirds of the numbers in the corps of Telungas and Nujeebs paid for are kept up; and that one-half of what are kept up are efficient, all having to purchase their places, and those most unfit being disposed to pay highest.

Further:  one-half of what are kept up are supposed to be always absent; and when they are so, they receive one-half of their pay, and the other half is divided between the commandant and the paymaster.  These two are supposed to take, on one pretence or other, one third of the pay of those who are actually present.  The corps of Telungas commanded by Captains Barlow, Bunbury, and Magness are exceptions; but the pay department is not under their control, and they are obliged to acquiesce in abuses that impair the efficiency their corps.

After reducing one-third-of these corps, and rendering the remaining two-thirds efficient, the force would be sufficient for all purposes, and we may well dispense with the corps of regular infantry which in my last letter I proposed to restore to Oude.  It will, however, be desirable to have a good and experienced infantry officer as inspector, to see that the measures adopted for reform are effectually carried out.  An artillery officer as inspector will also be desirable, as it will be necessary to have that branch of the force in the best possible order, when Oude has to depend chiefly on its own resources.  A few European officers, too, for commandants of corps and seconds in command will be desirable—­such as have been employed with native corps as sergeant-majors or quartermaster-sergeants, and have obtained distinctions for good conduct.

I should propose six primary stations as seats for the principal Revenue and Judicial Courts, and the headquarters of the best corps with cavalry and artillery; thirty second and third rate stations for the subordinate Courts and detachments of troops and police.  All to be chosen, with reference to position in districts under jurisdiction, and to salubrity of climate.  At all these Stations suitable buildings would be provided; and as all would be commenced upon simultaneously, all would soon be ready.