The characters of all three are very high, and in general esteem.
Things are coming to a very critical state.

There is no money to pay any one in the treasury, and the greater part of what comes in is taken for private purposes, by those who are in power.

All see that there must soon be a great change, and are anxious "to make hay while the sun shines." The troops are everywhere in a state bordering on mutiny, but more particularly in and about the capital, because they cannot indemnify themselves by the plunder of the people as those in the distant districts do.
Fortunately the rains have this season been very favourable for tillage, and the crops may be good if we can preserve them by, some timely arrangement.
With great respect I remain, Your Lordship's obedient, humble servant, (Signed) W.H.SLEEMAN.
To the Most Noble the Marquis of Dalhousie.
P.S .-- I find that the irregular corps of cavalry has been moved from Goruckpoor to Sultanpoor Benares, and that Lagolee and Goruckpoor have now only one corps between them.
The Sultanpoor Benares corps might well spare a wing for Lucknow, and so might the corps at Bareilly spare one.
(Signed) W.H.SLEEMAN.
______________________________ Lucknow, 11th October, 1849.
My Dear Elliot, Here is a little item of palace news, communicated by one of the poets who has to assist his Majesty in selecting his verses, and who knows a good deal about what is going on among the favourites.
Perhaps you may recollect him, Ameen-od Doulah, the eldest son of the late Aga Meer.
There is not a greater knave than Walee Alee in India, I believe.
That his Majesty will consent to what the Governor-General may authorise us to propose I have no doubt, for he and his family are by this time satisfied that we shall propose nothing but what is good for them and the people of Oude.
But the King is no longer in a sound state of mind, and will say and do whatever the most plausible of the bad speakers may recommend.
When I see him, I must have his signature before respectable witnesses to all his answers to distinct propositions, and act upon them at once, as far as I may be authorised by the Governor-General, or nothing will be done.

It would not do for me to commune with him about affairs till I get instructions from you, as he would be sure to tell the singers, eunuchs, and minister all that has been said the moment I left him.
He has never been a cruel or badly-disposed man, but his mind, naturally weak, has entirely given way, and is now as helpless as that of an infant.

Every hour's delay will add to our difficulties, and I wait most anxiously for orders.