Volume I Part 110 (1/2)
On the 16th of September, General Pollock entered Cabul with his victorious troops and planted the Colours of your Majesty in the Bala Hissar, on the spot most conspicuous from the city.
An extract from a letter from General Pollock to Lord Ellenborough, dated at Cabul the 21st of September, gives the most gratifying intelligence that _all_ the British prisoners, with the exception of Captain Bygrave, have been rescued from Akbar Khan, and were expected in the British camp on the 22nd of September.
An extract from a letter from General Pollock announcing the redemption of the prisoners is also most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,
FITZGERALD AND VESCI.
[Footnote 108: The mail, which informed Ministers of the Chinese success, also brought the news of the capture of Cabul. General Nott (see _ante_, p. 402 (Ch XI, 'Sale and Pollock')) had by the end of July completed his preparations, and marched upon Ghuznee, having arranged to meet Pollock at Cabul, and having transferred the Scinde command to General England. Nott was before Ghuznee on 5th September, but at daylight on the 6th found it evacuated; the citadel was destroyed by him and the Gates of Somnauth removed, as directed by Lord Ellenborough. Pollock, to whose discretion Ellenborough had entrusted the policy of advancing on Cabul, secured supplies at Gundamuck, and on his advance met the enemy in a strong position in the Jugdulluck Pa.s.s and dispersed them; then at Tezeen, on 12th September, he was attacked by Akbar Khan with 20,000 men. The Pa.s.s was forced, and the Afghans retired to the Haft Kotal, where they were utterly defeated, close to the scene of Elphinstone's disaster. Nott arrived at Cabul on the day after Pollock.]
[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
ARDENNE, _24th November 1842._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... I do not think, or I may say I am pretty certain, because I have often seen Donna Maria's letters, they hardly ever speak of politics, except just saying that they are surrounded by such very sad people without honour or honesty. I am sure they are not French at Lisbon beyond the kindly feelings which result from the recollection of Donna Maria's stay at Paris. My constant advice has been to look exclusively to the closest alliance with England, and Ferdinand is now _well aware_ of it; but you know that the Liberal party tried to even harm him by representing him as a _mere_ creature of England. We live in odd times when really one very often thinks people mad; their _uncontrouled_ pa.s.sions do not develop amiable feelings, but on the contrary everything that is bad and unreasonable....
You are a very affectionate and kind Mamma, which is very praiseworthy; may Heaven preserve your dear little children! Victoria is very clever, and it will give you great pleasure to see the development which takes place with children just at that time of life.
What you say of Ernest is unfortunately but too true; that trick of exaggeration is one of the worst I almost know, and particularly in people in high stations, as one finally knows not what to believe, and it generally ends with people disbelieving all such individuals do say.... Your devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _25th November 1842._
The Queen wishes Sir Robert to consider, and at an _early_ period to submit to her, his propositions as to how to recompense and how to mark her high approbation of the admirable conduct of all those meritorious persons who have by their strenuous endeavour, brought about the recent brilliant successes in China and Afghanistan.
[Pageheading: MILITARY HONOURS]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _29th November 1842._
Approve of the G.C.B. given to--
Sir H. POTTINGER.
Sir W. PARKER.
GENERAL NOTT.
GENERAL POLLOCK.