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 [‎34r] (67/102)

of his Minister, but to look only to the results of his choice. Wholly ignoring
these instructions, you have placed yourself in a position ot such decided
hostility to the Dewan, whom the Gaekwar has appointed, as to impede
most seriously the cordial co-operation of the Minister and yourself, in carrying
out the administrative reforms which it is the sole object of the Government
to induce His Highness to effect.
6. The Government are fully sensible of the distinction between the
authoritative advice which you are directed to give in certain matters, and the
friendly advice which you are to give in the matters about which the Gaekwar
may consult you. And it has not escaped observation that the Gaekwar consulted
you on the expediency of appointing Mr. Dadabhoy as his Dewan. But His
Excellency in Council cannot admit that you can divest yourself of your
public character in your friendly any more than in your authoritative com-
, munications; and you were bound to say nothing under the former head which
would be in any way contrary to the spirit of your instructions. The expression
of your determined personal opposition to Mr. Dadabhoy was, in the opinion of
His Excellency in Council, inconsistent with the order that the Gaekwar should
be left free to appoint his own Minister besides being injudicious in view of the
possibility that Mr. Dadabhoy might be appointed in spite of your advice.
I am also to notice as injudicious your observation to R. S. Bapoobhai and
Govindrao Mama reported in paragraph 4 of your letter No. 255 of 13th August.
" That if this was the kind of reform His Highness was going to carry out
under Mr. Dadabhoy's administration, it could end only in one result, and that
very shortly."
7. His Excellency in Council is much concerned to find in these trans
actions a most serious misappreciation of the actual position of affairs, and of
the line of conduct you have been ordered by the Government of India and
this Government to pursue.
8. In order that the false steps you have taken may be retraced, I am
directed to request that you will, on returning to Baroda, inform the Gaekwar
in writing, and without comment, that you have been personally consulted by
His Excellency in Council on the present situation, that His Excellency desires
to acknowledge the promptness with which His Highness has attended to the
advice of the Government of India in the matter of removing certain officials
from office, and that the Government, while refraining from pronouncing any
opinion on the gratifications of Mr. Dadabhoy, desire to offer no objection
whatever to his appointment as Dewan, if the Gaekwar in the exercise of his
independent discretion should think proper to appoint him, and you should add
that you will afford him every assistance he may need, and accord to him the
usual military honors.
9. You will be good enough to forward, for the information of Govern
ment, a copy of the yad by which you w r ill communicate to the Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). the
instructions now given respecting the recognition of Mr. Dadabhoy as Dewan.
10. His Excellency in Council much regrets, being compelled by an im
perative sense of duty, to address to you this communication, which he feels
cannot but be painful to you. And it will afford him much gratification to
find himself enabled to give you cordial support in the future conduct of the
difficult task you have before you.
No. 261A. dated Baroda, 2Sth August 1874.
From—Resident at Baroda,
To—Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , Political Department.
I n acknowledging the receipt of your letter No. 25P., dated 24th instant,
I have the honor to express my deep regret that I have unwillingly incurred
the displeasure of His Excellency the Governor in Council on the alleged
grounds of having taken two false steps; one in the matter of Nana Sahib's
57 15