Enclosures of Letter to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, No.213, dated 27 November 1874: Nos. 3 to 31 of Abstract of Contents, from Foreign Department, Fort William [‎26v] (52/102)

42
*
by me, and that I would communicate their tenor to him from time to
time as appeared advisable.
3. I then told His Highness of the advice expressed in the accom-
panyinff copy of my yad to his address, and said that the first and most
important point of all at the present time was to form an administration
of experienced men of known character and ability, who would be able to
afford him real aid in settling the several subjects which have to be dealt
with; and I added that I should be happy to consult orally with him first
as to this important point, and after communicating to Government the
result of our deliberations, offer him such written advice as the Government
might finally approve of.
4. I have thus commenced the routine laid down in paragraph 3 of
your letter under reply, and will continue it on each subject separately.
5. His Highness asked me for a copy of my instructions, but I
told him that such was not necessary, nor could it be complied with; but
I promised that I would quote for his information what was proper in each
case.
6. He expressed himself satisfied and Rao Saheb Bapoobhai is to bring
up to-day lists of the appointments he wishes to be filled up, and by whom.
7. I told His Highness that the most important departments of his State
with which we should have most to do were the lleveuue and Police Depart
ments ; and after discussing details and getting some insight into the present
system in force, of which I am at present wholly ignorant, I will report the
result to Government; but until an administration is formed, there will be no
real progress. I will therefore take up that point first.
No. 1480CI., dated Baroda, 10th August 1874.
From—Resident at Baroda,
To—His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda.
R eferring to the latter part of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-
General's khureeta An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. to Your Highness' address, dated 25th ultimo, in which it is
stated that " the Resident will now convey to you under die instructions I have
sent him authoritative advice in regard to several important matters affecting
Your Highness' administrationmoreover ''onany occasion on which Your
Highness may consult him, he will freely advice you and give you such help
as he can."
2. I have therefore the honor to forward, for Your Highness' considera
tion, the following opinion expressed by His Excellency the Viceroy regarding
the members of your present administration named below. It is as follows:—
"Judging from the information submitted by the Commission, His Excellency
in Councif cannot hope that the necessary reforms will be effected so long as
the Dewan Syajee Rao and some other officials, notably Bulwunt Rao Deo, the
Revenue Commissioner Huriba Gaekwar, the Sir Fouzdar Bulwunt Rao Eshwunt,
and the Deputy Revenue Commissioner Narayen BhaiJ remain in power. His
Excellency in Council is therefore of opinion that His Highness would do well to
remove these men from office, making for them such provision as His Highness
may deem reasonable, and to appoint more suitable persons to fill the offices
they hold."
3. Should Your Highness ask for the services of British officers, European
or Native, to assist you in the work of reform, endeavours will be made to
meet your wishes, and to furnish Your Highness with the officers you may
require, provided the conditions of their employment and the powers to be
vested in them are such as Government can approve.
4. I am instructed to inform our Highness that the choice of Minister
is left entirely with Your Highness, and that on this or any other occasion