Autograph letter signed : Bombay, to Colonel Murray, 1804 Mar. 13.

Reporting that General Wellesley has been there for several days checking on Colonel Close; commenting on the current situation saying "It is not for such as me to pretend to any certain knowledge but misinformed as I am, I still form some conjecture - I think the Gen'l is making a final arrangement, and allotting to each the part they are to act, of a whole, of which he had and still retains I fancy the supreme direction - he is not however to return to the Army - he speaks of Seringapatam as his place still but whether going there direct or to be employed in any active scene I know not - the affairs on the Malabar Coast are gloomy - we are not in the true(?) System there - extremes have been tried, the middle course may prove the best after all;" commenting on the relationship with Holkar saying "As for Holkar, however, doubtful his conduct may appear - I understand he is a keen sensible fellow, and he must know that hard knocks are all he could expect by quarelling with us - with no other enemy on our hands;" commenting on the recruiting standards for more men and the training standards for the 'Native Corps;" saying "I should deem them incapable of being well disciplined, but as they are a docile people they only want to be put in the right way and a little animation given them of which when they have bodily strength, they seem susceptible - I am doing all I can to raise their standard, to get able men and I am succeeding tolerably;" informing him he has been "given a seat at the board" and has been promoted to Lieutenant General but adding that he doubts whether his appointments gave much pleasure to those around him; concluding with items of regimental business; adding in a postscript his surprise at Major Urquhart's acceptance of a command.