The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-28 00:00:00

MEMORANDU3I.

40,0 u lel, JLEIO If, I -
I beg to submit the following observations reg..., ,e,
my own position :--

2. If the present disturbances were confined to a par-
ticular locality, and we had an army in hand and under
control, a few concise general observations would answer
every purpose..
3. As it is, however, we have no native army, and
the very limited European force available must operate
on many, distinct and separate points, each body ur.der
its own commandant, the whole being, properly, subject
to the general control and guidance of the commander-
in-chret.

4. I think the commander-in-chief can most efficiently, '
and assuredly most expeditiously, dontrol and direct all
general military arrangements and movements now,
and the reor ganisation and regeneration of the army
hereafter, if he has the advantage of being in persorsal
communication with the head of the government, if he
learns the views of government with respect to the in-
humerabie,que4lons which must constantly arise, and,
which is highly important, if he is made acquainted with
the mass of intelligence which may be expected to reach
the Government from every quarter of this empire.
5. If the commander-in-chief is at the seat of Govern-
ment he can rea,dily direct and guide the military
arrangements of every description ot the whole army ;
if he attaches himself to one of the smell isolated bodies
of troops moving about the country, ho can only direct
its proceedings, and the general conduct ot matters con-
nected with the entire army must be altogether neglected
and put aside for the time.
6. I also may observe that it is quite impossible to
conduct the multifarious duties of this large army with-
out a numerous staff and extensive office establishment,
requiring, when moving about the country, a complete
regiment as an escort, and a large amount of carriage
for their transport, neither the one nor the other of
which can be supplied under present circumstances.
7. On the whole, therefore, I entertain a decided
opinion that the duties of the commander-in-chief can be
most efficiently and most usefully discharged at the seat
of Government. But if the Governor-General in Coun-
cil thinks.otherwiee, and considers that my presence at
some other point would be more beneficial to tie public
service, I am prepared to start at once for any (tastily
lion to which it may be desired I should repair.
• PATRICK GRANT, Lieutenant-General,
C.immander-in-Cnief.

MINUTE BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN

COUNCIL

I agree with Lieut.-General Sir P. Grant that the
duties of the Commander-in-Chief oinat present be inset
efficiently and usefully discharged at the seat of Govern-
ment.
I +Mak that this will, continue to be the case—cer-
tainly until a larger. Eoropean force shall have been
collected in the north-western provinces, and probably
as long as the ferment amongst the native troops and
the people conti❑ues to be so widely spread as it is at
present, leaving it uncertain where the next violent out-
burst may take place
am of opinion, however, that, as soon As the course
of events shall tend to allay the general disquiet, and to
show :to what poipts our force should be mainly el
rected, with the-view of crushing the heart of the rebtl-
lion, it will be proper that his excellency should con-
sider anew the question of his movements.
His excellency's experience and high authority will
then, in all probability, be most usefully employed in the
disturbed districts, or their neighbourhood.
For the present there will be the greatest advantage
in his Excel ency remaining at the seat of government.
June 22, 1857. CANNING.
I think 'so too. Till we see our way more clearly, his
Excellency's authority will be most usefully exercised at
the Presidency._ J. DORIN.

June 22, 1557.
I concur in the above remark' by Mr. Dorin. There
iv, I think, much force and truth in the fourth and fiith
paragraphs of hie Excellency the Commander-in-Chiefs
memorandum of this date. J. Low.
June 22, 1857.
I quite agree. J. P. GRANT.
June 13, 1857.
I also concur eairely.
June 23, 1857

B. PEACOCK.

THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO TUE

DEPUTY ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY

-----.
Fort William, June 23, 1857.
Sir,—ln continuation of my letter of the 20th instate,
and with refcranca to a memorandum by the acting
commander-in-chief, 'dated 224 instant, I am directed to
acquaint you for the information of Sir Patrick Grant,
K C.B , that the Governor-General in Council concurs
with his Excellency that the duties of the commander-
in chief can at preterit be most efficiently discharged, at
the seat of Government.
2. When the course of events shall tend .to allay the
general C.i.,quiet, and to show to what points our fi.ree
should be mainly directed, with the view of crushing the
heart of the rebellion, it will, in the opinion of his Lord-
ship in Council, be pi'bper for his excellency to consider
anew the question of his movements.
3. His excellency's experience and high authority will
then, in all probability, be most useful:y employed in
the disturbed districts, or their neighbourhood.
4. For the present, the Governor-General in Council
thinks there will be the greatest advantage in his ex-
cellency remaining . at the seat of Government.—
I am, &c.
R. J. H. BIRCH, Colonel.
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