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 [‎78v] (56/100)

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Keep enquiry as secret as possible, and keep us informed of progress by
cipher. You may rely on my hearty support under the difficult circumstances
in which you are placed.
Enclosure No. 11.
No. 436-1461, dated Baroda, 25th December 1874.
From— Col. Sir L. Pelly, K .C .S .I., Agent, Govr.-Genl., and Special Commr., Baroda,
To—C. U. Aitchison , Esq., C.S.I., Secy, to the Govt, of India, Foreign Dept.
I have the honor to forward the accompanying copy of a letter No. 1457,
which I have this day addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Bombay, in
connection with the enquiry into the poisoning case upon which he is at pre
sent engaged.
No. 1457, dated Baroda, 25th December 1874,
From— Col. Sir L. Pelly , K.C .S .I., Agent, Govr.-Genl., and Special Commr., Baroda,
To— Hon^ble A. Souter , Commissioner of Police, Bombay.
R eferring to my conversation with you of yesterday morning and to the
cipher telegram then received from His Excellency the Viceroy, commanding
that the enquiry upon which you are at present engaged is to be prosecuted
under my control with the greatest possible secrecy, and that no important step
in it is to be taken unless under my sanction, I have the honor to request that
you will oblige me by absolute silence on the subject, unless when actually
employed in your enquiry with your subordinates and the persons accused
or giving evidence before you.
2. If witnesses or other persons be required by you from the city, the
requisition should be made through 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. .
3. If evidence or other matter be required from the camp, it should be
obtained through the Officer Commanding, or through the Cantonment Magis
trate as the circumstances of the particular case may dictate.
4. Every care should be tali en to treal all persons coming from the
Gaekwar's territories with due consideration, and no risk should be run of it
being hereafter alleged that either 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. or the officers of the Police
have in any way or degree unnecessarily exceeded or deviated from a plain and
necessary line of duty.
Enclosure No. 12.
Telegram, dated 24th December 1874.
From— Sir L. Pelly , Baroda,
To—Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
I nterview with Gaekwar of Baroda and Dewan this morning. Einal
decision concerning change of Ministry deferred until to-morrow. I told the
Gaekwar of his name being implicated in poisoning case. He offered every assist
ance towards searching inquiry, and appeared quite unconcerned. I am in
constant communication with Commissioner of Police, and no important steps
will be taken without my sanction.
Enclosure No. 13.
Telegram, dated 24th December 1874.
From— Sir L. Pelly , Baroda,
To—Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
J emadar of Chuprassies confessed before me to complicity with Havildar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard.
and Gaekwar of Baroda in poisoning case. I warned Jemadar before hearing
his confession that I would not pardon him. Two confidential servants of
Gaekwar are accused, also ayah of Resident's daughter, and Resident's butler.
Exd.—J. d. G.