Includes information about the delay in Portal's return to Zanzibar due to difficulty of travel through bush country; the arrival of Scott Elliott, sent by the Royal Society to investigate Uganda from a geological and scientific point of view; a proposed expedition to Wadelai; possible information by Villiers and Arthur of a useful Uganda force; French designs on the Upper Nile; future prospects for Uganda; and Portal's departure for England, to report to the government.

Discusses the progress of the journey and his intention of reaching Uganda by 13 Mar; the very serious state of things discovered in connection with the Imperial British East Africa Company's administration of the interior, including bad treatment of indigenous people by some of the Company's officials (notably Leith and Nelson); the ruin of fortified stations established by Lugard; and the Company's total failure to carry out the conditions of its Royal Charter.

Discusses the reasons for delay before starting on the second stage of the journey; the good condition of the Company's stations at Kikuyu and Machakos, and the excellent climate and the fertility of the country in that area; the importance of improved methods of transport; the hopelessness of any improvement or development under the Company's administration; and the Sultan's probable behaviour in Portal's absence from Zanzibar.

Discusses difficulties of the journey and Dr Moffat's illness; the aridity and desolation of the country; the attitude of the Maasai to Europeans; criticises the behaviour of Company officials, and their policy of raiding, looting, and annexation; the blame attributable to the Company's officers at Mombasa, in particular Berkeley, and the need to replace him with Major Eric Smith; the loss of mail addressed to the Commission and carried by the Company's 'runners'; and news received from...

Discusses the journey and Portal's disappointment with the country; continued complaints against the Company; accusations made by Wolf against Lugard; and Portal's proposed itinerary for his return journey.

Discusses their arrival on 17 Mar; Lugard's share in the responsibility for starting the war; the question of the Company's liability to pay compensation demanded by the French missionaries; the territorial division of the religions; the political part played by the English missionaries; Portal's view that the Sudanese troops brought into Uganda by the Company posed a danger; Portal's wish to leave Captain Macdonald in temporary charge, and his comments on Eric Smith and Berkeley; also on...

The sections of the précis are ordered as follows: causes of the war conduct of Company's officers action of Gov[ernmen]t ill treatment of R.C. Missionaries unnecessary continuation of War atrocities slavery conditions of peace.

Discusses cases of iniquities committed by the Company's people and not previously enquired into; difficulties of establishing orderly government, with the missionaries of both sides as political leaders of hostile parties; and Lugard's reports being regarded as 'vivid works of fiction'.

Discusses the potential result of a withdrawal of the English Flag from Uganda; problems of the removal and resettlement of the Sudanese introduced into Uganda by Lugard, and the confusion caused by his pledges given as 'an officer of the Queen'; and the accuracy and reliability of Macdonald's report.

Discusses allowances given to officers of Portal's staff, and his fear that publication of Macdonald's report would cause trouble, particularly with Lugard.