every act of the Executive administration, it will come to pass that the Government will be in the hands of A & B two of the Commissioners, the former who is nominally responsible as Gov^r being sheltered from that responsibility by his double capacity of Comm^r, and by the opinion of his brother Comm^r B. who is irresponsible, thus setting aside the third Comm^r C. who may differ from them, and at the same time ensuring the acquiescence of the Gov^t at home[.] This is a new and cunning project for governing a country according to any course of policy that

may be found most easy & convenient, without the existence of an effectual responsibility any where[.] Excuse this prosing essay, & receive it as for your own private ear only. I had a letter, by Lord Gosford, from Lord Dalhousie who was then (15^h June) at Leamington, a place in Warwickshire celebrated for its mineral springs[.] He had taken Lady D. there for the benefit of her health[.] She had long been seriously ill, — and until she went their confined almost wholly to her bed or sofa[.] But he

writes me that she had so much recovered as to be able to walk about, unassisted; and he himself also was better by his residence there. He mentions Lord Gosford & Sir Cha^s Grey as both good men — but Whigs[.] The latter he knew well at Calcutta where he was Chief Justice; Lord D. speaks of him as an excellent man & able Judge. I wish he were here now, and would take a more forward part, than, from his quiet reserved character, I fear he will take. He is in face and general appearance & manner a good deal like the late M^r W.B. Coltman[.] Sir Geo. Gipps was a Captⁿ in the Engineers, and is a most decided Whig, & something beyond.

When you come to Quebec, perhaps you will be good enough to bring with you some of your memoranda of the Indian countries & Indian life, and allow me the pleasure of looking over them.

Believe me My Dear Sir

Very truly your's

AW Cochran

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