Enclosures of letter to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, No.11, dated 15 January 1875: Nos. 3 to 45 of Abstract of Contents, from the Officiating Under-Secretary to the Government of India, Fort William [‎77av] (54/100)

Enclosure No 6-
No. 415-1378, dated Baroda, 7th December 1874.
p rom —Col. Sir L. Pelly , K .C.S .I., Agent, Govr.-Genl., and Special Commr., Baroda,
r fo — C. U. Aitchison , Esq., C .S .I., Secy, to the .Govt, of India, Foreign Dept.
I havis the honor to report that in obedience to the instructions contained
in your Office No. 2564P. of 25th November, and accompaniment, I proceeded
to Bombay reporting my arrival there on the 29th ultimo.
On the 4th instant I arrived at Baroda ; and on the 5tli took charge from
the Resident.
His Highness the Gaekwar visited me on the morning of the 5th. On the
evening of the same day I had an interview with His H ighness at his Palace,
and presented to him the khureeta An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-
General in Council dated 25th ultimo.
This morning (7th) Colonel Phayre left Earoda, and I caused all the usual
honors to be paid him on the part of the British and Gaekwar authorities.
After Colonel Phayre's departure, the Gaekwar, unaccompanied by any
suite, paid me a friendly visit at the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. . His Highness was demon
strative in volunteering assurances that he would absolutely and without any
delay conform to whatever adviee I might afford, and thoroughly, as well in
deed as in word, carry into effect the requirements of the Viceroy'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.
and instructions of the 25th July last.
I responded in a friendly and earnest manner, explaining to His Highness
how averse His Excellency the Viceroy was from causing misfortune to any
Native Prince. But, I added, that in the present instance I should fail to
perform a most serious duty were I to attempt to soften, or conceal the mean
ing and intention of the Viceroy in writing the khureeta An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. of the 25th ultimo,
and deputing his Agent for Rajpootana to represent him at Baroda. I more
particularly (bvelt on the words of His Excellency <c I have now done every
thing in my power to aid Your Highness."
Both His Highness and his Minister have assured me that they well
understand the portentous significance of the khureeta An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. and appointment of an
Agent to the Governor-General, and that all the instructions of July 25th shall
be forthwith carried into effect.
I further explained to the Minister that although in the instructions of
July 25th the report of the Resident w r as to be submitted not later than 31st
December 1875, yet that affairs had marched and in some respects altered
since those instructions were issued; that His Excellency in now again address
ing His Highness and in deputing his own Agent to His Highness' Court would,
in large measure, be influenced by the reports of his Agent; and that, for my
own part, while I was on the one hand frankly and most sincerely desirous of
aiding the Gaekwar through the present most grave crisis, I was equally, on
the other hand, resolved that in the unhappy event of my being driven to a
conviction of His Highness' incorrigibility, I would submit to His Excellency
the A iceroy and Governor-General in Council my unqualified advice to decline
longer to sacrifice the interests of the Baroda State, in order to maintain in
power an unworthy ruler.
^ esterday the IVIinister spent many hours with me in going over all the
points contained in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the instructions of 25th July, and
both His Highness and the Minister have this morning informed me that I shall
These letters have been received. during to-day receive fl 'Om HlS HighneSS Written
(sa.) l. p. communications drawn up in exact conformity with
the advice I afforded, and further expressive of willingness that I shall satisfy
myself of the reality of the assurances tendered.
1 have spoken thus plainly, although with great gentleness at an early date,
because I think the sooner the real situation is understood bv all here the better
will it be for all concerned.
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